Some of you already know that I'm back at Timothy teaching photography (again.) I taught at Timothy about 5 years back but moved on to other creative projects. When the photo instructor gave notice this past spring, Timothy asked if I was interested in coming back. I said, "yes!" as it fit my current schedule perfectly.
Upon hearing of my return, John Harkema volunteered to come back and partner with me to teach the students. John taught photography at Timothy for over 30 years and remains very involved with Timothy post-retirement. His enthusiasm and passion for photography mirrors mine, and we've had great fun working together to offer the students a broad and rich high school photo class experience. By partnering together, we're able to give each student a lot of individual attention.
One of the fun things (among many others) about teaching photography at Timothy is our school still has a fully functioning darkroom. This gives John and I the opportunity to introduce students to the origin and history of photography in a hands-on way. Students learn how to photograph with film, develop and print in the darkroom.
“Our school still has a fully functioning darkroom.”
By way of introduction to the darkroom, students first start making images without film. One of the ways to become familiar with light-sensitive photographic paper is to make a Photogram. A photogram is made by placing objects directly onto light-sensitive paper and then exposing the paper to light. This can be done a number of ways, including using a smartphone flashlight to light the objects and paper from the side. By illuminating the paper from the side, interesting shapes and forms develop because of the angle of the light.
Josh Anderson, Photogram
Another way to become familiar with the characteristics of light-sensitive paper is to make a Lumen print. Lumen prints are a lot of fun and very easy. Placing organic material onto the light-sensitive paper and sandwiching it between glass, the paper is carried outdoors to "bake" in the sun. Because of the long exposure to intense UV light, the paper begins to "develop" on its own. The moisture in the organic material causes the black-and-white paper to color with unpredictable results.
Robyn VanStaalduinen, Lumen Print
Our third experience with light-sensitive paper is making an 8x10 direct-positive portrait. We use an old-fashioned 8x10 view camera with light-sensitive paper that forms a positive image (thus eliminating the need for a negative.) We take the direct-positive paper directly from the camera after exposure and develop it in the darkroom. Again, the results are somewhat unpredictable — but that's what makes each print unique.
Heather Kocol, 8x10 Direct Positive
In addition to familiarizing the students with the darkroom, I keep the class relevant by asking students to photograph with a smartphone and digital cameras. At the completion of Photo 1, students have a broad understanding of aperture, ISO and shutter speed, and will have completed assignments with film cameras, digital cameras, Polaroid cameras and smartphones. The class also includes an introduction to Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. In Photo 2, students are given the opportunity to pursue a variety of projects with the format / medium of their choice based upon their Photo 1 experience.
Want to get back to photographing with film and developing / printing in the darkroom? Let me know. I'm available after school for private lessons.