The Alternative Processes Academy is one connected curriculum for artists working with experimental photography, material research and process-led practice.

Our teaching brings together existing knowledge, ongoing research and extensive first-hand testing in the studio. We work through each process ourselves before translating it into the curriculum, so we can teach not only the steps, but the materials, variables and decisions behind them.

How you'll learn


Lessons move between step-by-step video demonstrations, supporting slides and imagery, with guided narration throughout, so you can see the process in practice while also understanding the thinking behind it.



If you enrol between November 18th and 26th:


You’ll be invited to join the first edition of a new live programme we’ve been quietly developing for Academy members. 

3 guided sessions designed to create space for artists to think alongside one another and develop their practice through conversation and exercises.

A framework informed by collective learning, mutual support, care and self-organising

If you join before November 26th, your Academy enrolment will also include an invitation to the first Common Practice Program beginning in January 2027.

How artists grow through the Alternative Processes Academy


The best creative decision I made last year


"when I discovered and followed the wonderful Alternative Processes @alternativeprocesses account on Instagram, my eyes were opened to a whole new array of creative possibilities. My decision to join Chiara’s Alternative Processes Academy at the start of 2023 was arguably the best creative decision I made last year."

━ Jane Constable




With the Academy’s help, I was awarded a Distinction


"I used The Academy to inform my practice-led MA Photography, and with Chiara’s help, was awarded a Distinction. It has the perfect combination of technical, step-by-step process together with inspiration around what can be achieved with alternative processes. Sustainable photography does not have to be second-best. The Academy saved me hours and hours of scrolling through YouTube trying to find the exact techniques I needed: the videos are concise and to the point, well organised and logical. "

━ Emma Davies



This course has been crucial


"Thanks to this course, my work became more technical and structured. Previously, I was experimenting but lacked a clear guideline. Thanks to APA, I have learned how to use mordants and which ones to choose, I am continuously learning and experimenting. Now, I am working on a project that merges the cyanotype technique with watergrams, and this course has been crucial."

━ Lisa Roselli Zani



Read more feedbacks from our members


The Alternative Processes Academy is the reference you pull from the shelf when a process stalls, a project shifts, or a new idea needs grounding.

An archive of methods, materials, experiments, and ways of thinking. Built and refined over years of teaching and research.


Enrol and start printing

The Academy is for you if:


✔ You want to understand why a process or material behaves the way it does, not simply reproduce a recipe.
✔You want technical information presented clearly and in a sequence that makes sense.
✔ You teach, research or make work with alternative processes and want a reliable reference to return to.
✔ You want to build a practice around these processes rather than collect techniques.


Course Curriculum


  The foundations
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  Intro to Darkroom Printing
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  Cameraless Photography
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  Caffenol
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  Bioplastic
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  Liquid Emulsion
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  Digital Negatives
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  Anthotype
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  Cyanotype
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  Chlorophyll
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  Polaroid Emulsion Lifts
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  Guest Lectures
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  BONUS Lessons
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The Academy is a fully online, self-paced program built around on demand lessons you can revisit anytime. It’s designed with a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on work.

It’s not intended as a live-class format (aside from specified programs and guest lectures), nor is it focused on history of photography.




Read more feedbacks from our members

Enrol and Start Printing

Please note that due to the online nature of our course, we do not offer refunds. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise, but we have a strict no-refund policy in place. Therefore, we encourage you to thoroughly review the course details and requirements before enrolling to ensure that it aligns with your goals and expectations. If you have any questions or doubts about our course, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@alternativeprocesses.org or send us a direct message on our Instagram page. We will do our best to answer your queries promptly and provide you with the necessary information to help you make an informed decision about whether our course is the right fit for you.

By purchasing APA, you agree to the disclaimer of liability for misuse of chemicals and products stated above. This disclaimer acknowledges the risks associated with using chemicals and products and requires the course participant to assume all responsibility and hold the course creator harmless from any liability. The course creator is not responsible for any misuse of chemicals and products by the participant and shall have no liability for any injuries or damages resulting from such misuse. Read all terms of use here.

FAQs


Is the course in English? Are there subtitles?
Yes. The course is taught in English and comes with English subtitles.
Do I need a darkroom?
We have a module on liquid emulsion that requires a darkroom with a wet and a dry area (chemicals + enlarger), for this reason we've included an introduction module on darkroom printing (Module 2). Inside the Camera-less Photography module, Photograms require a full darkroom, Watergrams and Chemigrams require only the wet area (chemicals) and no enlarger. All the other processes don't require a darkroom.
Do I need a lot of space?
No, most of the processes just need a surface to coat on (can be a desk, floor, the top of a washing machine..) and a dark cabinet to store the paper while drying. Each module comes with an explanatory slide of the materials needed and shows my exact set up for each process.

Will I actually use this?
Many students revisit specific modules while working on a project — not all at once. The Academy is built to be dipped into, not consumed in one sitting. Think of it as a working reference.

What if I only care about one process?
That's completely valid. Each process module stands on its own. You can go deep on cyanotype and never touch caffenol — the archive is yours to navigate. At the moment, we do not offer individual lessons. most artists who begin working with one process, eventually experiment and approach other processes too

What if I don't have time right now? Permanent access means there is no deadline on your learning. Enrol now at this price, begin when your schedule allows.
How much will I need to spend in chemicals and tools?
It entirely depends on the availability and cost of chemicals in your country. We provide a list of the most famous suppliers and online shops divided by country. Aside from the modules where a darkroom is required (Module 2 & Module 6) all the process can be done with little space and few tools that you might already have at home.
If I'm having troubles with a process, what kind of support do I get?
All students will receive accesso to the same APA course. On top of that, there are 2 levels of support. If you purchase APA you will get access to a Discord server where you can ask questions. Other students, Chiara and the AP team will respond based on availability. You will also be able to join our Monthly Community Calls: live calls where we discuss techniques, challenges, ideas and projects. APA and 1:1 support students will get access to all the mentioned above plus 5 hours of 1:1 coaching and mentoring with Chiara, founder and curator of Alternative Processes, to discuss anything regarding printing, art practice development and online presence.

Is the course taught online? Can I join regardless of where I am?
Yes! The course is pre-recorded, can be watched and re-watched as one pleases at your own pace.

Can I ask for a refund?
Because of the online nature of the course we do not offer refunds under any circumstances. Please make sure you are 100% committed before enrolling. We are happy to answer any questions you have to make sure APA is the right fit for you beforehand!
What is Discord? I'm not familiar, will I be able to use it?
Discord is a free communication platform that has become popular for building communities and sharing knowledge. Discord allows users to join servers, which are essentially virtual spaces where people can chat, share information, and collaborate with one another. Within a server there different channels for different topics (each channel will correspond to a process. Discord is easy to use, the platform has a user-friendly interface and it's designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate. Our monthly community calls will be hosted on discord.