Advanced Darkroom Photography

After School Matters – Summer 2020

This summer, these 26 young photographers continued their photographic explorations, with the foundation of skills established in previous sessions of Darkroom Photography. During an unprecedented moment in history, we focused our attention on how the images around us can affect our understanding of the world. Through assignments that encouraged looking inward and outward, each photographer was encouraged to become the author of their own individual story through the images that they create.

They learned the science of optics by building their own camera obscura, and explored an early photographic process by making cyanotypes. Each teen studied the work of one artist or photographer, and created photographs emulating their style. The exchanged photos back-and-forth with "photo pen pals" for a couple weeks. And, in an effort to document our lives around us but also portray our inner states, they also stepped in front of the camera to create self-portraits.

For their final projects, each teen created photographs inspired by their own lives and photographic interests.
Ultimately, they have advanced their technical skills, while learning to make intentional creative decisions when photographing their subjects.

Instructors: Kristie Kahns and Roberto Nieves