Photography Workshop: Pin Hole Cameras & Foraged Seaweed Developer

Date: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th ​April 2023
Time: 10.30am - 3.30pm
Place: Hawthorn Room, The Rockfield Centre
Age: 16+
Cost: £65 per person (including all materials)

Booking is essential for this event

Two day photography course

The Rockfield Centre has a fund available to support those who may not otherwise be able to attend our workshops. Please contact arts@therockfieldcentre.org.uk for more information.

This two day photography workshop uses analogue photography and pinhole cameras to explore low impact ways of making images.

An introduction to the exciting world of pinhole photography. You will learn how pinhole cameras work, how to make your own, take photographs, make plant based photographic developers and use them to develop your B&W images. For people who are interested in exploring sustainable and novel approaches to making photographic images.

Pinhole cameras are very simple objects that are capable of making complex and beautiful images. These cameras can be easily made with basic materials and using them to make pictures creates an opportunity for people to look closely at their environment.

Course Structure:

• Day One: Learn how pinhole cameras work and low impact ways of making images. Make your own simple pinhole camera and use it to make some photographs.

• Day Two: Make plant based photographic developer and use it to develop your B&W photographs.

You will leave with your own simple pinhole cameras, some B&W photographs and recipes for making plant based photographic developer.

Nils will also provide an introduction to his own incredible 3D printed pinhole cameras which are currently in development.

All materials will be provided.

Your Tutor: Nils Aksnes

Nils Aksnes is a designer, maker and photographic artist based in Argyll. Nils took up analogue photography after buying a wooden pinhole camera in 2014 and falling for its beguiling simplicity. Since then he has designed and build several of his own pinhole cameras which he uses to explore new ideas and ways of image making.

Minimising environmental impact is central to Nils' work. His cameras are designed to use recycled and recyclable materials and avoid permanently joining materials which means that the cameras can be stripped and recycled once they are no longer needed.

Nils works mostly outdoors capturing images directly on photographic film using natural light and no digital manipulation. He is frown to details of colour and texture and often introduces camera movement in order to blend colours and abstract forms in his work. In 2023 he will be exhibiting at the Experimental Photography Festival in Barcelona.