I have put this short workshop FAQ together to help you understand what it is you will be doing when you come to my holography studio. With holography becoming more popular with amateur and hobbyists each day, these questions and answers will assist you in preparing for your workshop experience. If you have any additional questions, I will be happy to answer them before your workshop begins. In the meantime, here are a few of the most popular questions that workshop participants ask:

1. Is a workshop necessary to learn holography?

Not at all. There is a wealth of information and resources on the Internet, including web sites and books, where you can learn entirely on your own. My workshops are primarily for those people who prefer to immediately begin building a strong foundation of techniques and skills -- without the time-consuming, and sometimes costly, trial and error period associated with the "learn-it and do-it-yourself" method. Only you know which camp you fit into, and which learning style you prefer. Both methods can lead to making great holograms. The difference is, you'll be making great holograms right away after taking a workshop. Plus, a workshop will make the eventual transition to more advanced techniques a little smoother for you as well. But, once again, taking a workshop is a matter of personal preference: either it is your style, or it is not your style. Obviously, if you're reading this web page, there's a good chance that a workshop program would be right for you.

2. What is the main focus of the workshops?

Although each individual workshop focuses on different types and styles of holograms, the main focus of each workshop is to learn about holography. Before your workshop begins, I will sit down with you and do a quick assessment of what your learning objectives are. For example, some students will wish to continue to do holography on their own, others may only be interested in the science and technology, and still others are just interested in making a hologram only. I will then plan out the workshop according to your specific learning objectives.

3. What is the philosophy behind the workshops?

In my workshops, the creative process itself is treated as mission-critical as the resulting holograms. My approach to holography could be best summed up as a hand-crafted combination of both art and science. This means not just blindly following a clinical set of instructions without knowing the reason behind certain steps. Knowledge is power, and it is my job as instructor to empower each student with the skills necessary to control outcomes, which leads to great holograms. My goal is NOT to make you into a dogmatically doctrinal holographer, but rather I want to help you become an artisan who has a sense of what your options are, and thus become free to choose the options that will bring about the desired results in your own holographic work.

4. What type of hologram will I make?

Each workshop produces a 4 x 5-inch, white light reflection hologram on a professional quality holographic glass plate. This is the type of hologram that you can frame and display on a wall, table, or desk, etc. It can be illuminated and viewed with any clear white light source, such as the sun, a halogen bulb, or a clear, unfrosted regular light bulb.

5. What can I make a hologram of?

You are welcome to bring an object of your choice to the workshop, but you may also want to use one of the many objects that I have here in the studio/lab. Not everything can be made into a direct hologram in a workshop, so if you wish to bring your own, please make sure the following points are followed for the best results:

• The ENTIRE object must be SOLID and STEADY, not move at all, or be "flimsy".
  Reason: The object must be still for the entire exposure time, or the hologram may be dim or nonexistant.

• The object should be of light color (white, silver, etc.) or red.
  Reason: The object should reflect as much red laser light as possible, dark colors do not reflect as much light as light colors.

• Please do not bring anything with a smooth, mirror-like, unpainted surface.
  Reason: Mirror-like reflections can "burn" the plate. Other areas are not "bright", because the laser light is being reflected away by the mirror-like surface.

• The object should not be "alive" (fruit, flowers, etc.)
  Reason: Anything that is alive is moving and in motion at all times, and cannot be captured during the exposure time.

• The object should fit within a 4 x 5-inch area.
  Reason: The holographic plate is 4 x 5 inches in size.

Some good examples of objects would be: pewter figurines, white ocean coral, red car model, a skull, white porcelean figurines, etc. If you do not follow the above 5 points, your final hologram may be dim, or in the worst case, not visible. In 25 years I have never had a workshop hologram that did not turn out -- although I have had a few dim holograms -- so be forewarned to follow the 5 points above. I will assess and advise the best I can on the final results, but I cannot be responsible for objects that do not meet the criteria. The objects that I have here at the studio are time-tested to give great results, so if it is determined that your object(s) do not meet all 5 points above, or that there is some concern on the outcome, they are good to fall back on (or just use them in the first place).

6. How many holograms can I make in a workshop?

You will make one completed hologram to take home with you, unless you have chosen the extra hologram option on the workshop page, then the total would be two (plus an extra hour time to the workshop). The main purpose of the workshop is to learn about holography, how holograms are made, and how you can make them on your own. After the learning experience, we then proceed to make a hologram. The workshop cannot be used for the production of multiple custom holograms. Thank you for your understanding on this.

7. What clothing should I wear?

You can wear any clothing that you wish, as long as you are comfortable. When we develop the hologram, we will be wearing lab aprons and gloves, which I supply here. We will be standing as we work at the optics table and when processing, so comfortable shoes or sneakers would be a good idea. Other than that, anything from a t-shirt to a tuxedo is fine.

8. How do I arrange a workshop?

I work out a date and time with each individual student. The workshops are one-on-one. I can accomodate an extra person or two for a slight additional fee. Regardless of one, two or three people, one hologram total is made per workshop, unless other arrangements have been made prior to the workshop. I require a 50% deposit on all workshops before I close out the date and time to others. Please try to arrive promptly for your designated start time, especially evening or weekend appointments.

Do you feel ready for a workshop? If so, contact me now: Phone is: 610-770-0341. My Email address is:

Back to the Holography Workshop Main Page

	FRANK'S WORKSHOP PLEDGE Offer my students the finest, personalized holography learning experience. To operate my studio in a manner that enhances the lives of the students and the local community. Operate responsibly with resources, and with good environmental practices. Create great holograms with the same equipment, and in an environment, that would be found by students, educators, amateurs & hobbyists.

Frank's Newsletter Email:

Frank DeFreitas Holography
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Phone: 610-770-0341