The 4th annual F295 Symposium “Further Explorations on the Idea of a 21st Century Photography” takes place June 2-5, 2011 in Pittsburgh PA, USA and features photographers/artists talking about their work and the ideas, rationale, and thoughts behind it. It also features historic process workshops by leaders in the field.

F295 is keen to build the presence of contemporary daguerreotypists at this event and future ones. A component of the event of particular interest is the Thursday evening opening reception which features an informal portfolio sharing event. There will be a large ballroom and attendees will be able to lay out work samples to share and discuss with the speakers and other attendees.

F295 is offering registered members of cdags forum the opportunity to register at the F295 member rate. In registering, dagforum members can declare their affiliation by stating their full name, dagforum name and email address and will receive the F295 member rate. This is for a limited time so do be in quick.

This thursday Jan 13th at 2pm EST, Mike Robinson will be talking about the daguerreotype process on a web-based live television show called PhotoExpresso the link live feed is here. Mike invites all who are interested in the details of his approach to the process to email in questions for him to answer during the show : centurydarkroom@sympatico.ca

The George Eastman House is holding a daguerreotype process workshop from February 22nd-25th 2011 with Mike Robinson. This is a master class for people with a serious interest in the evolution, aesthetics and process of daguerreotypy. The workshop starts where the 1839 workshop offered last June left off. It specifically covers the perfected techniques used by commercial daguerreotypists in the 1850s, considered the golden era of the daguerreotype. Participants will learn both modern and traditional techniques of polishing. Also covered will be advanced concepts of contrast control, alternative fuming techniques, and housing options.

Process historian Mark Osterman will present a lecture on the evolution of the daguerreotype and show rare examples of daguerreotypes and vintage housings from the archives of George Eastman House. Original daguerreotype apparatus and literature will also be on display specifically for this workshop. Each participant will receive a facsimile reprint of original step-by-step instructions and other readings on the topic of daguerreotype.

For information see the workshop page on the Eastman House website

For the first time in more than 30 years, George Eastman House will be hosting a benefit auction of fine photographic prints, books, and equipment at Sotheby’s New York on October 4, 2010. The auction will include a daguerreotype by Mike Robinson of the peristyle in the east garden of the Eastman House.

The Daguerreian Society is calling for modern daguerreian artists and collectors to register for a juried contemporary daguerreotypes exhibit in conjunction with its 2010 symposium in Atlanta, Georgia. The exhibition will run from October 13th, 2010 to January 7th, 2011.

		Grant Romer will jury this exhibition, the society has asked to display the anonymous submissions here on cdags.org for Grant to make his selections from. There is no limit to the number of submissions per individual and collectors of contemporary daguerreotypes are also encouraged to participate. The resulting exhibit will be held in the gallery walk space in the Terminus building close to the symposium venue. An official opening reception is being generously sponsored by Jeffrey Green, society member and contemporary daguerreotypes collector.

To Register, please submit the following by emailing the daguerreian society: info@daguerre.org

1. Name, address, phone/cell, email.
2. An unidentified jpg copy and description of images with their size and housing.

The deadline for submission is September 9th.

Note: Submitters that have images chosen will be instructed where to ship the daguerreotypes so the work is received in Atlanta by September 29th. The submitters should include pre-paid return shipping with their work (FedEx account number, etc.).

Its that time of year again when the full force of the solar rays gives rise to workshop opportunities for those seeking tuition in the daguerreian art. Jerry Spagnoli has just taught a workshop with F295, he has another through the Photographers Formulary in the last week of July and in late August with the Penland School of Crafts. Mike Robinson is offering a masters class in mercury daguerreotypes through the Peters Valley Craft Center in late June. As already recently posted the Eastman house is offering instruction in the early origins of the process. Making this phenomenon international is a workshop in Brazil with Francisco Moreira da Costa in early June. Further details available on the events page of this site.

It’s been 10 years since George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film has conducted public workshops on photographic processes. Reintroducing these are rare workshops using the earliest techniques of creating light-based imagery. Participants will use the same techniques and chemicals used by the original inventors and celebrate the state of photography as introduced in 1839. The workshop, titled “1839”, will feature Daguerre’s original process, Bayard’s direct positive paper process, Hercules Florence’s ammonia fixed silver-chloride prints and Talbot’s photogenic drawings, all being shot in the formal gardens at George Eastman House.

This daguerreotype component will feature the process as invented, not the improved techniques – No bromine, gold chloride or even polishing buffs here (only circular pattern polishing). Participants will make a printed-out daguerreotype and then a mercury developed out daguerreotype.

Says Mark Osterman, photographic process historian at the Eastman House:

“Its really the comparison of the three processes that makes this workshop a unique experience, few have ever seen any of these processes, let alone all of them. We’ll display the early daguerreotype equipment in the collection as well as 1839 daguerreotype plates taken in Mexico City to show how to identify the earliest examples of the process.”

1839 – July 19, 2010 through July 22, 2010 at George Eastman House.
For more information or to register, contact Stacey VanDenburgh at (585) 271-3361 ext. 323 or by e-mail at svandenburgh@geh.org.
website link : eastmanhouse.org

Takashi Arai is exhibiting a series of 20 Daguerreotypes entitled “Flawless Lakes” at the Project Basho Gallery in Philadelphia. In conjunction with that he is giving a workshop this weekend (7th and 8th Nov). The venue, Project Basho, is hosting a panel discussion with Takashi Arai and other contemporary practitioners on Friday, November 13th, so if your in the neighbourhood come share your Daguerreian experiences.
While staying in Philadelphia Takashi is taking commissions for portraiture. The portraits are presented in the Japanese traditional hard image wooden boxes.

Marc has sent in images of the Exhibit in Bry, A fine achievement and a major event of modern daguerreian era, congratulations to all. More images to be posted later this week of the official opening.