T25. Handmade Negatives: Tracing Light by Hand with Ergül Karagözoğlu

In this workshop, participants will explore camera less image making through the creation of handmade negatives as both material and conceptual surfaces. Drawing inspiration from Surrealism, the Bauhaus, and abstract art, the session invites participants to treat the negative as a site where material experimentation and meaning converge.Working with layered structures of opacity, texture, line, and translucency, each participant will design a composition that embeds a short word or phrase within the image. The process supports the development of a clear conceptual framework that connects intention, technique, and final presentation.A wide range of techniques will be introduced, including cliché verre with ink or scratching on acetate, negative collage or sandwich negatives using strips of film or acetate, wax or oil translucency methods on tracing or Japanese paper, texture collage with fabrics and organic materials, and text or stencil masking. The emphasis is on combining multiple layers to construct complex visual and semantic relationships.Depending on available facilities, final outcomes will be produced through black and white contact printing, cyanotype contact printing, or digital scanning of handmade negatives for on site review. This flexible structure ensures that all techniques can be tested and evaluated regardless of darkroom access.
Outline

1. Welcome and conceptual framework, safety notes, workflow overview, and selection of a keyword or message
2. Explanation and demonstration of techniques including cliché verre, negative collage or sandwich negatives, and basic registration
3. Preparation of handmade negatives using drawing, scratching, layering, and masking
4. Addition of translucent layers, textures, and text or stencil elements
5. Quick contact tests using black and white paper or cyanotype, or digital review via scanning
6. Creation of final registered contact prints using two to three layers
7. Negative swap and shared print, followed by collective review and discussion

Participants must bring:

• Nothing mandatory. All core materials and tools will be provided.

Optional / recommended to bring:

• Old or scrap negatives (35 mm or 120) for negative collage or sandwich techniques (non precious strips only).
• Small flat objects for texture or photogram (lace, organza, leaves, thin threads, paper cutouts).
• A short word or phrase to work with (for example: “trace,” “body,” “memory”).
• A USB drive to take home scans (a flatbed scanner will be available).

Nice to have (totally optional):

• Pressed leaves or flowers, or meaningful scraps such as tickets or handwritten notes on thin paper.
• Personal acetate or transparency sheets with drawings or text.