learning film photography

I love sharing my passion for photography! I have taught photography to individuals and groups from age eleven through adult, from basic to advanced. At every level, I strive to show my students how to turn the “black box” of a camera into a tool they can both understand and control to make their images expressive of their creative intention. 

In case you wonder if I ever worked in color, the answer is yes; most of my commercial work was color.  Click here for just a few of those images.

In film photography, nothing is automatic; there are no preset special effects, no instant results. Yet, the traditional photographic medium offers vastly more possibility for creative expression than most people realize. Throughout the process, choices that will affect the final image abound, from choosing the film to deciding how to determine exposure, choosing lens and camera  settings, refining composition at various stages, developing the film, and, of course, crafting a beautiful print. Success is a rewarding achievement of a manifold process of decision-making and execution.

I teach the controls of the cameras and lenses, the use of a light meter for best exposure, and how exposure controls in the camera affect the film (and eventually the print). I teach the craft of film processing and the art of fine black-and-white printing, from basic to advanced. Have questions about technique, lighting, or composition? We can delve into those as well. I am happy to tailor classes to your needs or wishes.

Processing your own film and making your own prints allow full realization of your images. Rewarding results from the darkroom require learning the science as well as the art, and benefit from increasing comprehension and command of all aspects of the process and their interdependent effects.

At present, at least, I have only a relatively small darkroom for teaching film developing and printing, limiting teaching of developing to two students at a time and printing to only one. Potential students for darkroom classes must be age 12 or older. Regardless of age, students will be evaluated for willingness and ability to learn and work by simple rules of professional darkroom procedure.

If you are interested in learning film photography, advancing your skills, or have questions about instruction, please reach me through the contact form.