Explore the art of lith printing in this hands-on darkroom workshop. Known for its distinct aesthetic featuring contrasty, gritty shadows and creamy, colourful highlights—lith printing involves deliberately overexposing black and white photo paper and developing it in a specialized lith developer. The process relies on removing prints from the developer during infectious development, characterized by rapid acceleration in blacks and shadows.
This workshop provides a step-by-step guide, offering handouts, examples, and practical darkroom experience. Topics covered include selecting a developer, identifying suitable photo papers, controlling contrast through exposure, and determining the optimal snatch point from the developer. Techniques for toning finished prints will also be explored.
Participants are required to bring a B&W negative—paper and chemistry will be provided.
Jim Hurtubise was born in North Tonawanda, New York in 1960 and he currently lives in Toronto. He received a Bachelor of Architecture degree in 1985 but maintained a keen interest in photography throughout his university years and taught himself to print in the darkroom while working for the university yearbook. He later moved to the Chicago area and credits the move with transforming his photographic work.
His photographs have been included in shows as part of Toronto Nuit Blanche and the Contact Toronto Photography Festival. Distinctions include the Leonard Schugar Award for Excellence in Black and White Photography and Honorable Mention in the Gordon Parks Photography Competition. In 2007, he also had a portfolio of his work published in the Special Awards Issue of Black and White magazine.
As a member of Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography, Hurtubise occupies a space in the members darkroom where he continues to create his bold expressive lith and gelatin silver prints.
