Today, there is a growing interest in pinhole photography, which focuses more on the essence of, and less on the fact of a moment. This fun and exciting "low-tech" approach allows us to accept chance while freeing us from our need to control outcome. It is an excellent opportunity for any artist as well as beginner or seasoned photographers to loosen up their imaginations and explore new avenues of seeing.

During this two day workshop, we construct cameras made from ordinary containers, take photographs using photographic paper to create paper negatives and use the darkroom to make prints. On the first day, we construct our cameras, take photographs, explore exposure times, learn darkroom processing and create negatives. On day two we use the darkroom to create positive prints. Prior photographic experience is helpful but not necessary. Open to artists from all mediums. Throughout, emphasis is placed on experimentation and process with individual coaching and a final group critique.

Hours

Two days- Sat. & Sun., October 8 + 9, 2005, 9:30am-4:30pm each day.
Price: $100 plus a $35 Lab Fee (includes photographic paper), made payable to the instructor, David Ellis.
E-mail Scott Lapham for more information or to sign up!

Materials List

The following is a list of materials we will be using to construct cameras and take photographs in this workshop. They can be found at most craft supply and hardware stores. Michael's Craft Stores usually have the glass head pins in their sewing section and Wal-Mart also carries sewing and hardware supplies.

Photographic paper will be supplied, but I have listed it here for your future reference. Ilford Multigrade RC(resin coated) Satin paper works best as it is the only paper without its name watermarked on the back, making it ideal for paper negatives and contact printing from them and the Satin surface makes it less reflective and more suitable for making paper negatives. Fibered papers require more rinsing and drying time and the Ilford dries quickly and flat.

-Bring a small selection of containers that can be easily made to be Òlight tightÓ: cookie or candy tins, old flour or sugar canisters, any old tins from junk shops with tight lids, shoe boxes, old style oatmeal boxes with the cardboard lids (the newer ones wonÕt work as well), small hat boxes, any size or shape container that can be made leak-proof to light. Metal containers tend to work better as plastic ones or plastic lids are still translucent. Be imaginative and open to experimentation!

-Scissors, Exacto knife, metal ruler, fine point Sharpie pen, roll of white artist's tape or masking tape, small notebook or sketch book.

-Small aluminum pie pan (EZ-Foil 9Ó pie pans are best and usually come in a 3 pack at the supermarket. The larger pans are sometimes heavier gauge and I find that the thinner gauge is better.)

-Small package of glass head pins (size/No. 22 about 1- 3/8Ó long, some will list guage of pin on rear of package- Extra-Fine .5mm Shaft is ideal). Pushpins will also work if you donÕt find the glass head pins.

-Small can of flat black spray paint. (A paper dust mask is helpful if you want to avoid breathing the spray. We will be spraying outdoors!)

-Emory cloth or paper- 400 or 600 grit (1 sheet will be enough).

-Several rolls of black plastic electrical tape.

-Large newsprint pad.

-Optional: Itoya Presentation Display Book/ Portfolio either 81/2x11 or 9x12 available at Utrecht Art Supply is ideal, with its clear sleeves, is great for organizing and protecting negatives and prints.