Camera-less photography and mobile pinhole workshops and training

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 is aimed at anyone that wants to explore analogue photography in it purest form or that wants to learn about the basic principles of photography and how it still has something to offer in a world where digital imaging seems to dominate.

This workshop can be combined with a pinhole photography workshop. To deliver the session effectively I either use a large format DeVere 504  enlarger or, if on-site I bring compact semi-professional LPL C7700 enlargers so I can also cover traditional darkroom practice if required.

Photograms and luminograms washing

Photograms and luminograms washing

Pinhole image Cheney Court

6 month pinhole photograph Cheney Court near Bath

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. In extreme situations, I can even supply the mains electricity for a short period of time using a portable battery pack.

Prices for the camera-less photography workshop start at £380.

Nova Darkroom Tent, outside (left) inside (right)

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

Photogram

‘Broken bones and brake lights’ photogram with road debris

A photogram of ripples in water.

Analogue film photography and darkroom workshops – in-person

I am now offering onsite analogue and darkroom photography workshops and consultancy services to individuals, schools, colleges and organisations. If you want to create a darkroom from scratch or revive and old one, I can help you to get it up and running.

Man wearing black apron in photographic darkroom with Deere 504 enlarger in background

If you do not have a darkroom but would like to learn the basics or introduce your students to analogue photography I can set up a small temporary darkroom in your home, classroom or office.

‘We had Nigel come into school for a day to train myself and another colleague in darkroom photography, to enable us to be confident enough in teaching both GCSE and A-level students the same skills after our photography specialist is no longer able to teach. The day was jam packed and we both learnt a lot about various parts of traditional darkroom photography, the developing process, pin hole cameras, photograms and luminograms. Emma Hart, Sandy Secondary School, Bedfordshire

I can help you with;

  • Setting up a darkroom of your own or reviving an old darkroom that has been unused for a while.
  • If you do not have a darkroom or any of the equipment, I can bring a portable darkroom along with all of the equipment and materials to your home or workplace. All I will need is electricity and a sink.
  • Providing an introduction to cameraless photography, pinhole photography, photograms, water grams, cyanotypes and luminograms.
  • Introduction to black and white film photography, cyanotype printing, staining cyanotypes, film processing, printing and advanced and experimental printing techniques.
  • If you would like to introduce film (analogue photography) into your GCSE / A level / BTEC programme but do not have the knowledge or facilities, I can help you to address common problems encountered by students with film photography and help you to embed the media into a curriculum.
Photogram of objects using cyanotype process

Broken bones and brake lights – cyanotype

Prices start at £380 for a day of onsite training. Follow this link for more information about film (analogue) and darkroom workshops and consultancy services.

Photograms and luminograms washing

Photograms and luminograms in wash

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, do let me know.

Darkroom materials and equipment

Preparing a darkroom

Photograms of ripples in water or ‘watergrams’

 

Winner ! – 2022 Signature Art Prize – (film and photography category)

For three years in a row, my work has been shortlisted for the Signature Art Prize and screened at the gala event in London. In 2020 Passing Trade was selected, in 2021, Procession was selected and it was third time lucky this year as Terminal was selected for the finalist exhibition and was then chosen as the winning piece in the film and photography category.  It has been quite a year for this film having appeared at numerous film festivals and exhibitions both in the UK and abroad.

Finalist 2022 Signature Art Prize - Terminal

Pictures from the picket line

I was recently asked by Unison to cover their picket lines in Bristol. The weather was wet, windy and cold but everyone was in good spirits and there was a lot of public support for the strikers.

It normally takes an hour or two after a shoot to edit and send the pictures. To speed things up, I took a few pictures on my phone which could be published on social media immediately as the story was unfolding.

Some of the images taken on the day can be seen on here the Unison website.

Over the years, I have done a lot of trade union photography and worked for most unions including; UNISON, Unite, GMB, PCS, CWU, ASLEF, RMT.  The range of work I have done for unions includes conferences, issues and campaigns, there are some more examples here.

I am also a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the University and College Union (UCU).

 

 

 

 

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