Posts from the ‘darkroom’ category

Cyanotype Workshop: Creative Printmaking with Light & Nature

Discover the magic of one of the oldest photographic printing processes in this hands-on cyanotype workshop!
Ideal for staff development, team building, or simply taking time out to enjoy a mindful and creative activity, this session introduces participants to the beautiful world of cyanotype—an accessible and engaging analogue photographic process that uses sunlight to create striking blue and white prints.

During this relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop, you will:

  •  Learn about the history and science behind cyanotype printing
  • Explore composition using natural materials (like leaves, flowers, feathers) or personal objects
  • Create your own unique cyanotype prints on paper or fabric or other materials
  • Learn about experimental cyanotype techniques
  • Leave with your finished artwork and the knowledge to try it again at home

No artistic background is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to play. Cyanotype is a great way to reconnect with nature, experiment with design, and take a break from the digital world.

Whether you’re looking to recharge, try something new, or connect with colleagues in a creative setting, this workshop offers a refreshing mix of learning and hands-on making.

This workshop has been delivered widely at universities, schools and to commercial clients.

multiple exposure cyanotype image of ferns

multiple exposure cyanotype image of ferns

Camera-less photography and mobile pinhole workshops and training

Camera-less and pinhole photography workshop

It is possible to produce photographs without the need for a camera. The workshop explores the purest form of photography, recording the unrepeatable shadows and reflections of light rays captured in a darkroom and resulting unique and ‘one-off’ images. This workshop explores photograms, luminograms, water-grams, cyanotypes, paper negatives and other experimental analogue photographic techniques. The results are unique, original and impossible to repeat.

The workshop welcomes anyone who wants to explore analogue photography in its purest form or learn the basic principles of photography and its continued relevance in a world dominated by digital imaging.

You can combine this workshop with a pinhole photography workshop. To deliver the session effectively I normally need an existing darkroom or a room which can be adapted reasonably easily (no windows etc). Alternatively, I can bring my own portable darkroom and equipment which is fine for smaller groups.

Photograms and luminograms washing

Photograms and luminograms washing

Pinhole image Cheney Court

6 month pinhole photograph Cheney Court near Bath

Darkroom options

This workshop can be delivered to small groups on site using an existing darkroom or, I can bring a compact and temporary portable darkroom. The workshop can be delivered on-site anywhere in the UK or in my small darkroom near Bath in the UK. All I require to run this workshop on-site is a 240V mains socket and a nearby sink.

Prices for the camera-less photography workshop start at £425 per day for up to 4 attendees.

Nova darkroom tent. Left showing the outside of the tent, right inside tent

Nova darkroom tent. Left showing the outside of the tent, right inside tent

For information about my other analogue photography and darkroom workshops, click here

Photogram

‘Broken bones and brake lights’ photogram with road debris

Watergram image

A photogram ‘ or watergram’ of ripples in water.

Darkroom training and consultancy for schools

I am often asked to visit schools to help set up a new, or reinstate an old darkroom and train the staff or pupils on film processing and printing in the darkroom.

As a photographic artist, the darkroom plays a key role in my practice and allows me to produce images that would be impossible using digital techniques. I have also taught analogue photography and darkroom practice to students from GCSE to degree level and recognise the points where mistakes are often made and have developed teaching methods aimed to reduce student error.

I have also helped to develop lesson plans which can help to lesson the learning curve of analogue photography and darkroom practice.

Nigel sparked not only confidence in us, in what we were going to teach the students but also newfound enthusiasm for the process. Whilst with us Nigel also spent time checking out, advising, and helping organise and clean our current darkroom that hasn’t seen much love. He advised us on best practice and items to purchase to make what we had already easier to use and more effective, he even brought along his own kit as examples and to demonstrate techniques to us. Emma Hart, Curriculum Leader, Sandy Secondary School, Bedfordshire

Darkroom consultancy services;

  • I can visit your school or college to assess an existing, but unused darkroom and suggest how it may be brought back to use.
  • I can provide guidance on darkroom layout, health and safety, and buying equipment and consumables for a new darkroom.
  • Provide training to staff and students on; camera less photography, analogue photography, film processing printing and experimental darkroom techniques
  • For schools without darkrooms that would like to see the potential of analogue photography, I can also bring a small temporary darkroom which can be set up in a classroom for a 1 day darkroom taster workshop.
  • Quick 1 hour online darkroom review (please contact me to discuss this service)

If you would like to know more, please email me or call on 07973 631185

Darkroom Chadwell Heath Academy

Training staff from the art department at Chadwell Heath Academy

 

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