Darkroom 201 - Introduction to Visual Storytelling with BW film

Darkroom 201 - Introduction to Visual Storytelling with BW film

*(Only 1 slot left)*

This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the idea of visual storytelling using the medium of black-and-white film photography.

Participants will learn how to build a narrative with images created during the course of the workshop. Each participant will have to produce a set of 6-8 images that work together as a narrative. Participants will have the opportunity to shoot, process, and scan their own negatives in addition to working on the narrative. They will concentrate on one subject and develop a short story over
the course of the workshop.

This intermediate-level workshop is open to anyone interested in film photography and storytelling over the age of 20. Participants are expected to know how to use a film camera, and properly expose film. If you don’t have access to a film camera, you can hire one from the CPB Darkroom. Participants can choose to work in either 35mm or 120mm film formats.

During the workshop, you will have access to the CPB community darkroom to purchase film, process your rolls, and scan your negatives. If you are unaware of the process, the CPB darkroom team can process your rolls for you for a fee. However, everyone is expected to scan their own negatives. If you need guidance on how to scan your negatives, you can attend an optional scanning demo that will be held on day 1 of the workshop.

SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 28th, 5pm to 8pm

1.     Welcome note and introductions

2.     Lecture - Introduction to Visual Storytelling

3.     Discussion of the assignment

4.     Darkroom orientation

* Optional - Film scanning demonstration (4pm-5pm)

Friday, March 29th, 10am to 8pm

Participants are expected to shoot, process, and scan 1st roll of film by 5pm on Friday. 

1.     Shoot - Till 12pm

2.     Lab hours for processing film on your own - 10am to 2pm. 

3.     Drop off hours for your film to be processed by CPB darkroom team 

- Slot 1 - 11am

- Slot 2 - 1pm

4.     Lab hours for scanning - 10am to 5pm.

5.     Review - 5pm to 8pm

Saturday, March 30th, 10am to 8pm 

Participants are expected to shoot, process, and scan 2nd roll of film by 5pm on Saturday. 

 1.     Shoot - Till 12pm

2.     Lab hours for processing film on your own - 10am to 2pm. 

3.     Drop off hours for your film to be processed by the CPB darkroom team 

- Slot 1 - 11am

- Slot 2 - 1pm

4.     Lab hours for scanning - 10am to 5pm.

5.     Review and image selection for printing - 5pm to 8pm

Sunday, March 31st, 10am to 6pm

 1.     Image printing at a digital lab - 10am to 12pm

2.     Final edit and critique - 12pm to 6pm

Meet our mentor

Aishwarya Arumbakkam is a visual artist who works across photography, filmmaking, and drawing.

Arumbakkam was honored as one of the ‘Ones to Watch’ by the British Journal of Photography in 2019. In 2020, she was awarded the Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellowship. Her work has been exhibited at Testsite, Austin (2023); The South London Gallery (2022); The Visual Arts Center, Austin (2022, 2020); and Ishara Art Foundation, Dubai (2021).

Check here for more details about the workshop!