Basic Developer Formulations

The Photographic Chemistry series was initiated by FAIC in 2015, with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This series explores key elements of photographic chemistry that are essential to understanding the nature of silver-based analog photographs, their creation, and their deterioration mechanisms. These topics are critical for photograph conservators, but also of interest to photographers, artists, collectors, and other photography enthusiasts. This series of online self-study modules includes video lectures and quizzes on specific topics in the chemistry of photography. Each course contains about 5 – 15 units; each units includes a 3 -10 minute video lecture and a brief self-assessment quiz. Study at your own pace and repeat units as needed!

Scott Williams

Professor of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry

Scott Williams is Professor of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry at Rochester Institute of Technology. Professor Williams is one of an ever-smaller group of individuals with expertise in photographic chemistry. This profound knowledge, combined with his thoughtful and lively teaching style, make for an easy-to-follow presentation of this potentially complex topic. This course is a fount of information essential to understanding the silver-based analog photographic processes represented in so many private and public collections around the globe.

Funding for this program comes from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation fund for Collaborative Workshops in Photograph Conservation. Additional funding comes from the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artist Works Endowment for Professional Development, which was created by a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and is supported by donations from members of the American Institute for Conservation and its friends. Courses are made possible with the assistance of many AIC members, but no AIC membership dues were used to create or present this course.

The Collaborative Workshops in Photograph Conservation Advisory Committee (2015-2019)

  • Theresa Andrews - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 
  • Luisa Casella - West Lake Conservators
  • Alisha Chipman - Library of Congress
  • Monique Fischer - Northeast Document Conservation Center
  • Molly Gleeson - Penn Museum
  • Dana Hemmenway - Center for Creative Photography
  • Debra Hess Norris - Winterthur/University of Delaware Graduate Program in Art Conservation
  • Nora Kennedy - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Saori Lewis - Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
  • Krista Lough - Krista Lough Art Conservation, LLC
  • Stephanie Lussier - Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
  • Laura Moeller - Strange Stock Art Conservation
  • Tania Passafiume - Library and Archives Canada
  • Millard Schisler - Photograph Conservator
  • Margaret Wessling - National Gallery of Art



Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Organic and Inorganic Developers
Organic and Inorganic Developers Video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Organic and Inorganic Developers Quiz
4 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/4 points to pass
4 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/4 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.
General Requirements
General Requirements Video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
General Requirements Quiz
3 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  0/3 points to pass
3 Questions  |  1 attempt  |  0/3 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.
Metal Reducing Agents
Metal Reducing Agents Video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Metal Reducing Agents Quiz
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/5 points to pass
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/5 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.
Non-metalic Reducing Agents and Kendall-Pelz Correlation
Non-metalic Reducing Agents and Kendall-Pelz Correlation Video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Non-metalic Reducing Agents and Kendall-Pelz Correlation Quiz
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.
Kendall-Pelz Developers
Kendall-Pelz Developers Video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Kendall-Pelz Developers Quiz
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/5 points to pass
5 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/5 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.
Reducing Agent Examples
Reducing Agent Examples Video 1
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Reducing Agent Examples Quiz 1
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.
Reducing Agent Examples Video 2
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Reducing Agent Examples Quiz 2
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.
Heterocyclic Organic Reducing Agents
Heterocyclic Organic Reducing Agents Video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
Heterocyclic Organic Reducing Agents Quiz
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass
3 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  0/3 points to pass View each question and write down your answer before viewing the correct response.