The Rodolfo Namias Group (GRN) was founded in 1991 and named by the master of Italian photographic chemistry; it is associated with F.I.A.F. (Italian Federation of Photographic Associations), and it is a part of the National Groups.

GRN is founded on voluntary service, it warrants the most wide freedom of expression to his members, it does not pursues profit goals, it is a non-political association and its objects are:

• the rediscovery, the development in all its forms and the elaboration of the photographic processes both historic and alternative to the mass and industrial ones, from which they are distinguished by the prevailing and characteristic manual component;
• the organization and participation to photographic exhibitions and events characterized by the production of images, and side events;
• the promotion, development and increase of the knowledge and spreading of said Techniques also through didactic, cultural and recreational initiatives, conventions, courses, collaboration with specialized magazines, making use of whatever means of communication suited to these purposes.

The motives

In the years 1980-90, some amateurs became aware of the advantages to print their images on non-conventional sensible materials, in order to achieve a quality unobtainable on common silver-bromide papers.
Between the end of XIX and the beginning of XX centuries the photographers developed a large choice of light sensible surfaces. They were forced to do that, especially during the second half of 1800, in lack of marketed products.
In recent times, many operators were attracted by the aesthetic qualities of these so-called Old Printing Techniques (OPT).
Nowadays it is more valuable discovering again those techniques, when, from the shot to the final print, the waiting time has been shortened in a few hours, thanks to the very advanced technology of the photographic industry.
Our choice, substantially rejecting the standardized, constant and authomatic results of the modern pictures, is going towards a photography wedding creativity and manual labour, where the image is made also of very different matter, surfaces and tones.

The sensible surfaces

A mixture of selected chemicals may induce light sensitivity on a sheet of good quality drawing paper. This sensitivity is anyhow much lower if compared with standard silver process. For this reason all OPT use contact printing. Furthermore, the light output of common enlargers is too low, compelling to use light sources having a substantial output in UV range, using also exposure times of the order of many minutes.
Contact printing requires obviously an original -negative or positive depending on the technique in use- as big as the wanted final image. Moreover, OPT are rather expensive; they are not a way to spare money, as somebody could believe because of home preparation of the materials.

The organization

The seat of GRN is in Parma, Via Argonne 4, care of the Circolo Fotografico Il Grandangolo. The member's meetings are held in Parma or at other sites, usually on Sunday every six months.
At present, the Board of Directors is made up of:
Alberto Novo, President
Luca Sorbo
Roberto Lagrasta
Josef Peppi Gander
Giorgio Stella

The activities

1 - Discussion on technical problems and on progress news
2 - Members images show; evaluation of the opportunity to participate to exhibitions
3 - New members evaluation and voting on their acceptance
4 - Promotion of contacts with organisms and persons interested to OPT
5 - Evaluation of collaboration with organisms and persons
6 - Organization of courses on OPT
7 - Organization of Round Tables and specialized exhibitions.

The members

All GRN members have an highly specialized level of competence. New members are usually accepted by co-optation; they must have a good darkroom experience; the annual fee is paid by postal order.
To learn more about the application for admission to the GRN, please read the FAQ.

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