Castelbuono workshops revive 19th-century collodion photography techniques
In Castelbuono, Sicily, photographer Gianni Cusumano (born 1984, from Porto Empedocle) organizes periodic workshops on wet and dry collodion photography, covering ambrotypes (on glass) and ferrotypes (on iron plates). In summer 2024, he was joined by Mark Osterman and France Scully Osterman from Rochester, New York, leading a workshop on dry collodion—a technique introduced around the mid-19th century for landscape photography, allowing sensitized plates to be stored for months before exposure. Participants explored the Madonie woods, taking long walks to find subjects, then printed on silver salt paper. A short film by Pietro Leone documents the sessions, featuring interviews with Cusumano and the Ostermans. The workshops aim to preserve historical photographic processes, blending alchemy, science, and creative practice.
Key facts
- Gianni Cusumano, born 1984 in Porto Empedocle, leads collodion photography workshops in Castelbuono, Sicily.
- Workshops cover wet and dry collodion processes, ambrotypes (glass), and ferrotypes (iron plates).
- Mark Osterman and France Scully Osterman from Rochester, NY, co-led a dry collodion workshop in summer 2024.
- Dry collodion was introduced around the mid-19th century for landscape photography.
- Participants took walks in the Madonie woods to find subjects and printed on silver salt paper.
- A short film by Pietro Leone documents the workshop, featuring Cusumano and the Ostermans.
- Castelbuono is a medieval village in the Madonie region with a focus on contemporary creativity.
- The workshops combine historical techniques with modern artistic practice.
Entities
Artists
- Gianni Cusumano
- Mark Osterman
- France Scully Osterman
- Pietro Leone
Locations
- Castelbuono
- Sicily
- Italy
- Porto Empedocle
- Rochester
- New York
- Madonie