Today through Sunday, a group of the country's most interesting practitioners come together for the 2015 f295 Symposium & Workshop. It's being held at the University of Pittsburgh's Alumni Hall, Frick Fine Arts Building and Pittsburgh Filmmakers.

In addition to discussing specific analog photographic techniques like electrophotography, and how to make modern daguerreotypes, featured topics include the business/industry side of photography. A complete schedule of events can be viewed here.

While the symposium and workshops as a whole require purchasing registration, many events are free and open to the public.

Free events include tonight's 7 pm opening reception and exhibition of New York City artist Jerry Spagnoli's "American Dreaming: The War Years, Ignition. 1990–1995."

Spagnoli, who has been a photographer since the mid-'70s, is considered one of the world’s leading experts in the revitalization of the daguerreotype process. Often noted in his biography is his groundbreaking technical collaboration with Chuck Close, using intense flash to create incredibly detailed portraits. Some of his most striking images are from the series "The Last Great Daguerreian Survey of the 20th Century." Among many significant images included in this series is an amazing plate created on Sept. 11, 2001, that depicts one of the World Trade Center towers just moments before the building collapsed. Spagnoli will be leading a two-day workshop this Saturday teaching the daguerrotype process.

Other free-to-the-public events on the f295 schedule include this afternoon's 2-5 p.m. lecture with industry panelists, all evening gallery exhibitions at the Frick Fine Arts Building, a portfolio sharing session of work by f295 members, and the photographic industry vendor displays.