It was a pleasure to welcome a group of youngsters from HvHArts to darkroom recently and introduce them to the wonders of printing their own photographs.
The four scholars were doing an analogue photography course with the arts foundation, and had spent the previous days taking portraits of each other in the studio and outdoors with renowned photographer Debbi Clark.
After a quick explanation of how film captures images in the camera by workshop leader Phil Grey, the students had an opportunity to review their contact sheets and decide which shots they wanted to print. There was some uncertainty about who had taken which shot and much discussion about whether the sitters were happy with the choices of portraits to print! Eventually they made their choices and were ready to go.
Most of the group had not shot film before and certainly not been in a darkroom, but they listened and watched attentively as Phil explained how the equipment worked and demonstrated the printing process. Seeing the excitement on their faces as the image on the first test strip appeared was priceless, and they were soon making their own and working out the correct exposures for their first print.
It was great to see how quickly the enthusiastic youngsters grasped the complexities of the enlarger and the development process, and very soon the first prints were coming out of the fix and ready for inspection in the light.
By the end of the session everyone had made a couple of prints and would happily have continued making more. They all agreed that taking and making photographs on film was so much more enjoyable and rewarding than the instant gratification of their phones, and we think you’ll agree that the final results are amazing!
Eat your heart out David Bailey!
