Gelatin Dry Plate in the Woods
at Letchworth State Park

This workshop will be scheduled for Summer 2025

Make your own gelatin dry plates ... then go camping and hiking to shoot them in “The Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth Park, New York

If you like camping, hiking, and large-format photography, this is the workshop for you. Mark Osterman and Robert Brazile will guide you in making your own silver bromide gelatin emulsion in the darkroom at Scully & Osterman Studio. Then, each participant will coat pieces of 4×5″ glass to produce a stock of negative plates. On the second day, you’ll be transported to Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East, and set up camp in rustic cabins in the woods.

For the next 3 days, we’ll hike the wooded trails and along the Genesee River gorge to shoot plates using a 4×5″ view camera. The group will return to camp at the end of each shooting session to develop the plates one-on-one with the instructors in a portable darkroom tent.

On the last day, we’ll return to the studio, where all negatives will be scanned and digitally inverted to “proof” the images.

Participants receive a work apron and a complete manual with all formulas and instructions written by Mark Osterman, as well as additional readings on the making and evolution of early gelatin emulsions.

Park lodging and meals are included Tuesday through Friday morning. The relaxed atmosphere around the evening campfire makes this a truly memorable experience. Mark will bring a banjo and a guitar. Musicians are encouraged to bring their own instruments. Note: Lodging for the first night in Rochester is not included in the workshop tuition.

Audience: Limited to 6 participants, this 5-day outdoor workshop involves some hiking over rough terrain. Only those who are confident of their fitness should consider attending. No prior photography experience necessary.

Cancellation Policy: Withdrawal from the workshop 60 days before the session’s start date will result in a full refund minus a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations made fewer than 60 days before the workshop start date. If the workshop is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire tuition will be fully refunded. Scully & Osterman Studio is not responsible for airline ticket cancellation costs or fees.

Location and Scheduling: The workshop is held at Scully & Osterman Studio, Rochester, NY, and Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY.

Lodging: Lodging for Monday night in Rochester is not included in the workshop tuition; participants must make their own arrangements for this first night. 

The Strathallen is located on East Ave in Rochester. They offer shuttle service from the airport. Visit strathallan.com to make a reservation.  For more hotels visit: hotels.com.

There are also numerous nice and economical AirBnBs in Rochester.

Scully & Osterman may take images, still or video, during the workshop, and use them for educational and promotional purposes.

This is the Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth Park