Intro to Darkroom Photography

This hands-on course introduces students to the fundamentals of black-and-white darkroom photography.

Students will learn how to shoot with 35mm film cameras, develop film by hand, and create silver gelatin prints in the darkroom. The course covers essential darkroom techniques including contact printing, test strips, exposure control, contrast adjustment, and print development. Emphasis will be placed on both technical skills and creative expression. No prior experience is required—just a curiosity for analog photography and a willingness to experiment in the magic of the darkroom.

Cost: $299.00

Duration: 2 weeks, 2 classes per week

Dates: Tuesdays + Thursdays, July 22 - July 31, 2025

Time: 9am - 2pm (5 hours)

Location: East Bldg., Photography Studio. CAMPUS MAP

About the Instructor:

Born in Dalian, China, Yuxiao Mu is an interdisciplinary artist and educator currently based in Kansas City, MO. She earned her MFA in Photography from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and BFA in Photography from LuXun Academy of Fine Arts in China. Mu’s practice is driven by conceptual ideas surrounding memory, emotion and storytelling, her work ranges from analog and digital photography, video, to printmaking and painting. Her work has been exhibited internationally and nationally in Rome, Boston and Minneapolis, as well as published by Contemporary Art Issue (CAI), Visual Atelier8, Our Culture Magazine, AATONAU, and Float Magazine. Mu is currently a visiting assistant professor at Kansas City Art Institute as an AICAD Fellow.

Supplies: Students will need to purchase their own film, while the program will provide chemicals and some of the darkroom paper.

The KCAI Underground Art Store sells both 35mm films and darkroom paper.

Cameras will be provided but students are welcome to bring their own 35mm cameras as well.

Parking: Parking is available in any of the (NON-RESERVED) KCAI parking lot spaces across campus. There is also available street parking surrounding KCAI campus. 

Refund: Registered participants can receive refunds to the original payment method (Studio Fee minus Humanitix Fee) up to 14 days before the first class.