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Dave Symonds is a retired Lighting Designer. He holds two Associateships and a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society.
From: Born in Birmingham England in 1948 and now living in Newton Stewart, Scotland.
Shows: Bromoil, Mordancage, Oilprints, Photopolymer Gravure, Pinhole and Purell Transfer.
Dave took up photography in 1985 with his main interest being in mono printing and colour slide work. His introduction to alternative photography came by accident in 1997 when judging a photographic salon. There were a number of Bromoil prints showing, which captivated his attention. He immediately decided to take up the process and soon joined, The Bromoil Circle of Great Britain. These days Dave is retired and has more time to spare, so he experiments with many forms of alternative photography and non photographic printmaking, such as drypoint and lino-cut.
“Why alternative photography? No deep or profound reason, other than it’s great fun to do and it keeps me out of mischief.”
More about Dave Symonds:
Articles by Dave
Contact Dave Symonds
- Email: davesymonds (at) hotmail.co.uk
- Website
Dave Symonds is featured in:
Recommended reading on Photopolymer, gravure, solarplates and printmaking
Polymer Photogravure: A Step-by-Step Manual, Highlighting Artists and Their Creative Practice
by Clay Harmon
Clear and easy-to-understand instructions.
Printmaking in the Sun
by Dan Welden and Pauline Muir
Covering the solarprint, or the photopolymer process, an inspiring read!
Copper Plate Photogravure – Demystifying the Process
by David Morrish and Marlene MacCallum
Step-by-step basic printing procedures for a photogravure plate, complete with trouble shooting information.
The Complete Printmaker
by John Ross, Jim Ross, Tim Ross
Step by step through the history and techniques of over forty-five print-making methods.
Looking for a good paper to use?
The Massive Paper chart
by Christina Z. Anderson
85+ papers tested in the argyrotype, chrysotype, cyanotype, palladium, salted paper and vandyke brown process.
Pure Inspiration = A cross between learning and inspiration
by Malin Fabbri
Discover how 140+ artists bring colour to traditionally monochrome processes. This book explores pigments, chemistry, layering, and experimentation through real working examples.
Combines inspiration and learning!
by Malin Fabbri
A fusion of moments and visions from artists working in alternative photographic processes – featuring 90+ inspirational alternative photographic processes images.
Highly creative!
Our 25th anniversary book
by Malin Fabbri
Step into a world where light, chemistry, and creativity collide. 137 artists push the boundaries of alternative photography, with processes like cyanotype, gum, and platinum printing to create unique, handcrafted images. They showcase their work, insights, and inspiration.
World Anthotype Day
World Cyanotype Day