ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT:
FROM THE NAIL TO THE NEGATIVE

Iron has always been present in photography, even if quietly. It shows up in early printing processes, in toners, and now—again—as a main actor in low-toxicity developers. In this workshop we work with iron as a way to build film chemistry from scraps: rusted rods, construction-site nails, corroded metal found while walking. We’ll also use more refined forms like ferric citrate or ferrous sulfate, but the emphasis will be on process, sourcing, and building from residue.

We’ll cover:

  • The basics of how iron works in film development

  • How to make a minimal developer using accessible ingredients

  • How to extract and use iron from rusted metal

  • Loading and processing film in a 100’ Lomo tank

This is slow chemistry. It asks for time, observation, and care. But the results are deep and textured—rich in both image and meaning. We’ll leave with a roll of film developed in iron and a method to keep experimenting wherever we are. These processes can be applied to still photographic images or to moving image material in any format.

INSTRUCTION: THREE HOURS in 1 Session

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH - FROM 7 PM - 10 PM

LOCATION: MONO HQ 33 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn NY 5 min walk from 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, B, D, N, Q, R, & G trains.

INSTRUCTOR/S:  Andrés Pardo of Curioso Lab, Uruguay

Andrés Pardo Piccone is an experimental filmmaker, editor, professor, and researcher based in Montevideo, Uruguay. With over 25 years of experience in film production and post-production, he has worked across documentary, fiction, and experimental cinema. He is the founder of CuriosoLab, a space for exploring sustainable photography and low-impact image-making rooted in everyday environments. His recent work focuses on historical photo processes, alternative chemistry, and the use of local or discarded materials in the film lab. He is the author of Back to Basics and A Guide to Ecological Photo-chemistry, and is currently researching Edward Bach solarization as a way to extract energy for energy-driven developers. His ongoing projects include a critical and philosophical investigation into image-making, sustainability, and the potential of analog practices to rethink our relationship with capitalism, technology, nature, and time.

INCLUDES: THREE HOURS in 1 classroom instruction session. Each participant will have the option to bring in a roll of already captured 35mm or 120 black and white film AND/OR opportunity to film a self portrait of themselves on 16mm when they arrive during session. MONO will supply the Bolex camera, 16mm film stock and lighting studio. The portraits will be used to demonstrate the developers made in class and small sections of each developer will be passed out so that each person has a developed section for their notes.  All camera equipment, film stock, chemistry, materials, course packet and safety equipment will be provided.

COURSE CAP:  Limited to 12 participants

PRICE: $125 - 185 Sliding scale. In an effort to make the workshops more accessible to the community at large we have introduced a sliding scale option (below) All options are equal to one registration, and your selection will remain private.

SOLD OUT : CONTACT US TO JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR THIS OFFERING