Darkroom Practices: Experimental Cyanotypes
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£395 (July 2025) or £390
- Start Date(s): 30 July 2025, 2 October 2025, 22 January 2026
- Duration: Thursdays 6 - 8.30 pm, five weeks or Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, three days
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
30 July - 1 August 2025, Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
2 - 30 October 2025, Thursdays 6 - 8:30 pm
22 January - 19 February 2026, Thursdays 6 - 8:30 pm
Join an immersive and hands-on course where you will explore the captivating world of alternative photography techniques using cyanotypes; a photographic process that produces unique and striking blue-toned prints.
Learn how to create cyanotypes using a variety of materials and experiment with alternative techniques to achieve stunning and unconventional results.
This course is ideal for photography and darkroom enthusiasts, artists, and any creative image-makers interested in pushing the boundaries of the traditional image-making processes.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size of 11 people you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your prints at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied photographic and darkroom practices. -
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge.
What you’ll study
Create unconventional images and discover innovative thinking within one of the early photographic print processes; you’ll underpin your experiments by diving into the history of cyanotypes and the theory behind them, before pushing the boundaries within your own creative direction.
You’ll get a practical understanding of how to mix and prepare the chemicals needed to create and develop the cyanotypes, exploring the diverse possibilities of manipulating the image with experimental techniques, including multiple exposures, toning, incorporating textures and patterns and hand colouring.
With ample opportunities for hands-on practice, you’ll have access to a fully equipped darkroom and receive guidance on proper darkroom procedures and how the techniques can be made accessible without the need of technical equipment, so you can continue to practice after the course.
Making a small concertina book of cyanotypes, you’ll gather your vibrant samples and experiments into a portfolio that captures your creative outputs.
During this course, you will:
- learn the history of cyanotypes and how to create images using this technique
- mix and prepare the chemicals needed to create cyanotypes
- coat paper with the cyanotype solution and expose the paper to light
- develop and tone final images using various techniques
- explore creative possibilities of cyanotypes and experiment with textures and patterns
- create unique images using the cyanotype process.
By the end of this course, you will have a solid understanding of the cyanotype process and the ability to create unique images using this alternative photographic process.
You’ll leave with a small concertina book of experimental cyanotypes that demonstrate alternative photographic print methods.
You will have experienced the darkroom in a safe environment and gained knowledge and skills to continue outside of the course.
- Introduction to the process and short lecture on the history of cyanotypes
- Choosing and creating your images, using a Mac to finalise your images in Adobe Photoshop
- Printing and producing your negatives on digital acetate.
- Health and safety induction for the use of chemicals
- The basics and set up for creating your prints
- Preparing and coating the paper
- Exposure techniques
- Washing and finishing the prints
- Toning
- Selecting and binding your prints into a book
- How to recreate the process after the course using your own resources
How you’re taught
During the sessions you’ll be taught the foundation of cyanotype printing, with tasks and activities to complete with support from the tutor.
You’ll bring together your collection of samples and prints in a bound book for you to reference in the future.
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
Contact hours
You will receive 12.5 (evenings) or 15 (summer) contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
Certificate of attendance and digital badge
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.
Your digital credential is more than just a certificate – it’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.
They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.
Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You’ll find a full-size darkroom and comprehensive Mac editing suites with software for photography editing including Adobe Creative Cloud.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Entry requirements
Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Entry requirement: No darkroom or photography experience is required, although basic skills in using Adobe Photoshop (such as being able to open an image, create a negative image and saving files) would be beneficial.
You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £395 (July 2025) or £390.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
What to bring
All of your materials are included in the course fee but please bring with you on your first day:
- a notebook, pen and phone camera for recording the processes
- any source images you’d like to use during the course
- a USB stick to save all your files and work.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place for the following dates via the NTU online store:
30 July - 1 August 2025, Wednesday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
2 - 30 October 2025, Thursdays 6 - 8:30 pm
22 January - 19 February 2026, Thursdays 6 - 8:30 pm
Browse all our photography short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2813