Eurobrom 2 - Leverkusen 2006

Eurobrom 2 was attended by 29 participants from Germany, Belgium, the UK, Italy, Sweden, and the USA. The event started with the opening of the alternative processes exhibition featuring prints of the "Gesellschaft für photogra- phische Edeldruckverfahren e.V." (in short GfPhE) in a nearby gallery. The GfPhE is the German association for alternative processes.

The event was covered by PHOTODeal magazine, a german periodical for camera enthusiasts and collectors of photographica. A pdf file of this article (in German) can be downloaded [here].

The exhibition, featuring a broad range of processes such as bromoil, oil printing, cyanotype, gum prints, carbon,etc.. was organized in cooperation with the local photo club "Verein zur Förderung Künstlerischer Bildmedien Bayer E.V. Leverkusen".

Its general theme: "Bromoil and other historic processes: challenges and perspectives".

While supplies and specific papers for the bromoil process were until recently readily available at most camera stores, the overwhelming popularity of digital photography has changed this: papers designed for bromoil such as Bromoprint and Bergger Brom 240, or particularly suited for the process such as "Document Art" from Kentmere, and even Agfa's MCC118 used by some bromoilists already disappeared in the upheaval.

There still is room however for the historic processes — amongst which the pigment-based oil and bromoil processes — which can develop their success and prestige through such aspects as skilfulness, artistry, exclusiveness..

Eurobrom explored different ways to tackle these new challenges, and especially the making of oil prints and the use of liquid emulsion - two techniques that do not require special papers. Special attention was devoted to the making of enlarged negatives, using either image processing programmes and inkjet printers, or imagesetter services. Such negatives are required for oil printing, which is a contact process.
As usual, time was devoted to the presentation of the participants' works, and an exchange of prints.

The next Eurobrom event will be organized in Belgium, probably around September 2008.