“If you want to change your photographs, you need to change cameras. Changing cameras means that your photographs will change.” –Nobuyoshi Araki
In the Holga Camera Workshop, we will use low–tech Holga cameras with plastic lenses and film to expand our vision and technique. Pro or lover of making photographs, never mind that you use an iPhone or Nikon Z9 on a daily basis. Changing your camera will change the way you see. Using film will change the way you think.
In this weekend workshop, we will wander around the Della Vittoria district in the shadow of Vatican City. Steve will teach you to disengage from technology and learn to engage with your subject, including how to approach and gain the subject's consent to be photographed.
The first-class session will include instruction in using the Holga Camera to get the most out of your experience. After our first morning session Steve will instruct you in how to develop your film using an ars–imago Lab–Box.
There will be one orientation meeting, two street sessions, and two film development sessions. If time permits, Steve will teach you how to create digital scans of your image using a digital camera, no scanner required.
Here is a link to an article Steve wrote for Shutterbug magazine in 2009, Low-Tech Cameras; Fine Art, Or Just Plain Fun. Not all of the cameras in this article are still available but this will give you an idea of the possibilities.
Steve Anchell is the author of The Darkroom Cookbook, The Film Developing Cookbook, and MILC: Getting the Most from your Mirrorless Camera. Steve has been using low-tech cameras since 1983.
He has taught street and documentary photography for the International Center of Photography in NYC, Santa Fe Photography Workshops, and Oregon State University. He has been leading street photography workshops in Cuba since 2001.
Tuition: $995 USD
Lab Fee: $35 USD
Limited to 12
Included:
• Five Sessions with Steve Anchell
• Photo Chemistry
Not Included:
• Travel to Rome
•Accommodations
• Meals
• Holga Camera and film
• Health and Travel Insurance
• Activities outside the workshop
Enrollment in both the Holga Camera and Rome Photography Workshops will entitle you to a $200 USD discount.
Combined Tuition: $2490 USD
Lab Fee: $35 USD
This workshop is about vision. You may use any low-tech plastic camera you like, including the digital Camp Snap camera. However, in my experience, the less expensive, the better! You don't want it to be too good, or you might as well use a Nikon or Canon!
In Europe, ars-imago carries a line of low-tech cameras, including the Ilford Pinhole, Holga, and Steve's personal favorite, the Diana F+ (with or without flash).
In the U.S., you can find a wide selection of low-tech cameras at Freestyle Photo Imaging.
Here is a link to an article I wrote for Shutterbug magazine in 2009, Low-Tech Cameras; Fine Art, Or Just Plain Fun. Not all of the cameras in this article are still available but this will give you an idea of the possibilities.
Enrollment for the Holga Camera Workshop is limited to twelve participants. Participants must make their own air travel and lodging arrangements. Once the trip is confirmed, additional information and travel details will be provided.
View Workshop Payment, Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policies.
We ask that you refrain from cell phone usage during workshop sessions, including shared meals, and traveling between destinations. Exceptions are family emergencies. If you must use your cell phone for business or social interaction, please wait until you can safely remove yourself from the workshop.
“Surely, it is the result that counts, no matter how it is achieved. A photographer can even become a prisoner of his own rules. Unless he invents new ones, he will soon copy himself, and his work will become sterile and repetitive.” —Bill Brandt
