Summer 2023 Analogue Workshops at Beau

Pinhole photography is writing with light at its most basic. All that is required to make an image is a light tight container or space (a camera obscura) and a small hole that lets light in. To record that image, some sort of light sensitive material is put into the camera, and the light coming through the pinhole creates an impression of the subject the camera is looking at. The properties of light passing through a pinhole have been known for centuries, and have been documented as early as 500BC. Pinholes have been used to observe solar eclipses, as drawing aids, and as entertainment when the image is projected onto a large screen. Lenses were also used in camera obscuras as they let in more light. Since a way to fix the projected image was discovered in the 1820s and photography was born, people have experimented with pinhole cameras. Today we make pinhole cameras with everything from a cardboard box to washing machines, beer cans,  and even our own bodies. Using containers and objects that have had a previous use simplifies the process even further, adds another creative dimension, and is also a more sustainable alternative to using a conventional camera.

We are giving a workshop in pinhole camera making on April 8th! The workshop will cover the basic principles of pinhole cameras, and how to develop photographic paper. You will build your own pinhole camera and then we’ll go out and make some exposures and develop the paper negatives. Each participant should be able to create 2 or 3 images during the workshop, and will go home with the skills to continue taking pinhole photos, as well as a paper developing kit that will process several more photos. This workshop will hopefully inspire you to submit an image to our exhibition, but also to start a collection of pinhole cameras and get out to make images with them.

There is a fee of $20 for this workshop to cover the materials. Space is limited to 8 participants Registration will be available after March 18th.

Learn how to make these beautiful images yourself. Printing cyanotypes is very easy to do at home and is a good starting point for trying other alternative processes. In this workshop you will learn about the different papers and other surfaces that are suitable for cyanotype printing, using negatives and objects to create images, how to coat and expose paper, different processing techniques, and a little about the history of cyanotype printing. You will leave with a print you’ve made yourself and the knowledge to be able to continue the process on your own.

There is a $20 fee to cover costs for this workshop. Space is limited to 8 participants and registration is required. https://www.beauphoto.com/product/cyanotype-workshop/

Cyanotypes are a beautiful blue colour, but blue isn’t the only colour you can get from them. In this workshop you will learn about toning cyanotypes to get other tones like brown and turquoise. Using various plant material, we will tone cyanotypes and talk about the many ways we can experiment with the process and affect the final colours.

You will need to bring a few of your cyanotype prints that you are willing to experiment with. Up to 8×10 only please! Slightly overexposed prints tend to work best.

Space is limited to 8 participants. There is a $20 fee to cover costs for this workshop. Register here – https://www.beauphoto.com/product/cyanotype-toning-workshop/

Lumen printing is the process of using photographic paper or film and contact printing negatives or objects onto the film in the sun. These images aren’t developed, instead relying on the light sensitive quality of the emulsion that causes it to change when exposed to bright light. Beautiful outlines and tones are achieved with this easy process. It’s also a great way to use expired paper and film that might otherwise be discarded.

Bring along some translucent flowers and leaves, and some black and white negatives if you’d like to try printing images.

Space is limited to 8 participants.  There is a $20 fee to cover costs for this workshop.  Register here – https://www.beauphoto.com/product/lumen-printing-workshop/