Darkroom, the Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation’s analogue photography workshop series, starts its 2024 sessions this weekend

You know, Pentax just announced that their new film camera will be out soon,” says Varun Gupta, president of the Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB) in a conversation about their Darkroom Workshops, whose 2024 run starts this weekend in Chennai.

Clearly thrilled, he is referring to the Japanese camera-makers’ latest development in their Film Camera Project: the successful prototyping of a brand new compact film camera to be launched in summer this year. “Exciting things are happening for analogue photography, with brands coming back and committing to film lines,” he says. Think Leica reintroducing their M6 rangefinder camera in 2022, and Lomography launching a new line of film called the LomoChrome Color 92 film in mid-2023. “It really is a testament that there is a market for film photography and that market is growing,” Gupta adds.

Such developments, coupled with the trends they have noticed and nurtured with photographers of all stripes in India, have led CPB to the juncture they find themselves at today. As they kick off the 2024 Darkroom workshops this weekend—earlier led by Gupta and now being mentored by photographer and multi-disciplinary artist Aishwarya Arumbakkam—next week, they will also launch India’s first black-and-white reversal film, which is a slide film that shows a captured shot as is, directly through a projector. “We are calling it Ulta 100. A play on the Hindi word for upside down,” Gupta says.

In India, the resurgence of analogue photography has fed into a youth subculture by itself, with millennials and Gen Z thrifting film cameras and shooting on film available in the market. They have also formed networks over messaging apps like Whatsapp and Telegram, and social media like Facebook and Instagram. And while there are a few senior photographers, artists and academics who hold talks, photowalks and workshops in some pockets, a more mainstream and cohesive intervention that will help guide the community and expose them to artists and diverse analogue photo-practices seems to be lacking.

This is where the CPB Darkroom workshops hope to step in. Their Darkroom 101 and Darkroom 102 courses are geared towards covering the basics: what is special about film, and about how to expose, shoot, develop, and print, along with a critique by the artist leading the workshop. These have seen a total of 115 participants from across India, including Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Kashmir, over both courses since starting in June last year.

Now, their recently added Darkroom 201 course, with its next batch starting in April, will focus on visual storytelling through film, with a simulated assignment where a participant will shoot a photo essay on one film roll of 36 shots, over 3-5 days. “This course teaches you film photography as it is meant to be done…not just shooting one roll over six months, developing it and then saying, ‘wow, how charming’,” he says.

For him, it is the intentionality that film photography forces onto the photographer—with the inability to see the image you shoot in real time, the limited number of shots per roll, and the sheer effort it takes to process, develop, scan and/or print a negative—that is crucial. “It is important to instil that into photographers to appreciate the making, because that also then affects the practice,” he notes.”

Also Read: A photography exhibition focuses on 10 Dalit communities from across India

The CPB Darkroom workshops will continue to take place at the CPB Lighthouse, a community space that opened in July 2023. The space, which has a photography library and their fully kitted commercial darkroom, also has areas demarcated for workshops and teaching.

In an interview with Mint Lounge, the workshops’ current mentor Arumbakkam, who was named in 2019 as one of the ‘Ones to Watch’ by the British Journal of Photography, and awarded the Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellowship in 2020, talks about the sessions, analogue versus digital photography, and the relationship one builds with analogue processes. Edited excerpts:

Considering developments like AI intervention in phone photography even as the user is shooting, what does one get from viewing a photograph shot on film versus one shot digitally?

In the context of your question, we are assuming that the audience for the picture (the viewer) is the same as the photographer (the user). Inherent in this situation is one of the crux of working with film.

In the situation you have described, the person who is photographing is looking at the photograph as they are photographing it. However, while photographing with film, you cannot do that. Instead, you are looking at the subject you are photographing. The photograph itself reaches you much later. You work with what many people have described as the “latent image.” This passage of time affects the way one both looks at and makes the image.

Also Read: Raghu Rai and his ways of seeing

Is there an advantage in learning the basics of photography through film first before graduating to digital?

Both film and digital have their own unique characteristics. I wouldn’t say starting with one is better than the other. Oftentimes these decisions are quite practical and are based on what you have access to at a certain point in time. In my experience, you learn with whatever you have access to, whether it is film or digital, and I find it important to be open to that. They each bring their own set of learnings with them.

I wouldn’t frame it as “graduating” from one to another, but look at it as a more conscious movement between the two. In some ways, I find that film distills the technical aspects of photography to its very basics and that can be quite freeing.

A photograph, shot and developed by Murugan, a participant at an earlier Darkroom session
(Courtesy Chennai Photo Biennale Foundation)

The resurgence of analogue is, in lay conversations, quickly attributed to a general exhaustion with screens and digital media. Do you see any other factors leading people to work with film again?

In my limited experience, the reasons people have to start working with film are quite individual. It is also important to note that for a lot of people, it is not about working with film “again.” Many people starting to work with film at present are interacting with film as a medium or even material for the first time. Most people in our workshops seem to start with a sense of curiosity, which is a beautiful place to begin any process. In the best-case scenario, the answer to “why” is personal and is revealed over time by the medium to you.

The next CPB Darkroom workshop, Darkroom 201, will run from 28-31 March. The next Darkroom 101 & 102 will run from 9 April-14 April. For details and registration, visit www.chennaiphotobiennale.foundation.

Pinedale, WY, March 06, 2024 –(PR.com)– Tanya Hamner, whose love for the cowboy was instilled when she was a young girl, has completed her new book, “The American Cowboy”: a collection of beautiful photography rooted in authenticity as it displays the story of life as a cowboy.

Author Tanya Hamner was raised in Wyoming among some of the Lord’s greatest creations. His sunsets, sunrises, mountains, waterfalls, people, and wildlife are just a few small blessings she glimpses of his beautiful creation. Tanya lives on a sheep ranch in Wyoming with horses. She works daily with Columbia sheep. She has discovered the beautiful moments and the hardships of what a rancher experiences daily. A cowboy’s way of life embraces hard work, trust, and respect. A cowboy lends a hand to a neighbor in their time of need, feeds the hungry, and cherishes the land. It is a life lived for a greater purpose. This is what “Riding for the Brand” means. It is based on a poem her dad introduced her to called “Ride for the Brand” by Paul Harwitz. It is a reminder of the life that one should live, that we are here on this earth to serve Christ, our Savior. It goes hand with the cowboy’s way of life.

When Tanya had set out to start her photography journey, she tried to capture everything she saw. She first discovered her love for photography in the darkroom at Northwest College. While she was not a photography major, her agriculture communications degree required the Intro to Photography course. She was fortunate enough to have to use a darkroom to develop her own film. When she was in the darkroom for the first time, watching her professor develop prints, it was like magic to her. After a few days of her own developing, the darkroom became a magical place that gave Tanya peace and made moments come to life. During this time, she did not think of taking photography to the next level. Her professors encouraged her to stick to photography because she has a unique eye to see what others don’t.

After getting her bachelor’s degree, Tanya decided to pursue photography and discovered the Academy of Art University. While in school, she wanted to showcase not only the glorious moments of a cowboy but also the daily struggles and triumphs of the American cowboy. Thus, this is what her unique style in art has become. Instead of staging the scenes, she wants to bring the viewer to a live view of what the cowboy does every day. She rides along with the cowboys to document their livelihood.

While photographing on the side, Tanya runs and operates the family sheep ranch. They raise Columbia sheep and natural-colored sheep. She has her PRCA Photographers Card (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association), and now besides traveling to ranches, she travels to PRCA rodeos to capture eight seconds at a time.

Tanya writes, “To truly be the best photographer at your subject, one must somehow have a connection between the subject and the camera. Most wildlife photographers live among the wildlife and study their everyday moves. The best sports photographers are those who have played the game and know what moves are about to happen. To be the best ranching photographer, one must live the life, understand the life, and know the ins and outs of ranching. This is how I decided to specialize in ranching photography. My day-to-day life involves going out on the ranch and taking care of sheep, feeding them, and caring for them. I live the life, and by living this lifestyle, I can communicate the same language as other ranchers. I know the rules and know where to go so that I am not in the way when taking photographs. I know the subtle cues that livestock give. I can anticipate the animals’ reactions to me and when they will be moving. I know their behavior and communicate with the rancher.”

Published by Page Publishing, Tanya Hamner’s engaging work draws readers in, inviting them to witness the lives of ranchers,

Readers who wish to experience this memorable work can purchase “The American Cowboy” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Page’s accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Sometimes, you just want to look for real photography on the web. But the problem is that it’s often not really available and hidden by various algorithms. And at other times, all the lists are copying one another. Look for any list of the best photography blogs on the web, and they’ll all be focused on gear-centric websites. However, photography is about a lot more than just gear. So we’re rounding up the best photography blogs for real photographers who don’t want to focus primarily on gear. Instead, they care about photography, art, and the creative mind.

How We’re Defining the Best Photography Blogs

We’re defining the best photography blogs for photographers using a few parameters:

• They’ve been around for several years: This means that they’ve received quite a following over the years and have been steadily reporting on photography as an art.
• Leadership: The best photography blogs on this list have worked with galleries, museums, and photographers in a credible way, involving what we can deduce to be permissions from the original photographers and subsidiaries.
• Accreditation: The blogs have to be worthy of being used as a resource in schools. We’re defining this through their coverage in helping readers to understand the work they’re presenting. Some of these publications also follow various journalistic ethics standards.
• Art-first in Photography: These photography blogs have a focus on art, in some way or another, first before anything else. Specifically, within their arts coverage, they focus on photography first. Creative Boom, My Modern Met, and others are fantastic places for art — but they don’t seem to prioritize photography as much.
• Originality: Each publication needs to have an original voice and won’t necessarily try to cover what every other photography blog covers. Journalism suffers when there is a lack of originality. In the gear world around photography, many have accused various other publications of near plagiarism.

Aperture

Aperture is a non-profit that regularly runs contests, awards, image sales, and so much more. They’re a publication that also coordinates with galleries to tell various stories. Their magazine is beautiful, and the work that they do puts photographers and their artwork at the fore.

Visit their website.

Blind

Blind Magazine has been around for several years. And there was a point in my early career where I truly wanted Phoblographer’s art team to produce work akin to theirs. They stand out a lot with the design of their desktop website and interactivity of their articles to draw people further into the work of the photographers they present.

Visit their website.

The British Journal of Photography

After the weird drama around NFTs and ownership, the British Journal of Photography is still persevering to deliver authentic and real stories. Part of what makes them so special is that they’re the oldest photography publication having been around since 1854.

Visit their website.

Photograph Mag

Photograph has to be absolutely one of the most pioneering websites in photography around. Their email newsletter rounds up various galleries and exhibits featuring photography around the world. Because of this, they’re the single best place to understand where many of the best photo exhibits are currently being held.

Visit their website.

Lensculture

Lensculture is mostly known for its awards and excellent selections based off of these awards. But beyond this, the articles are consistently a fascinating read and flip-through of their images.

Visit their website.

Feature Shoot

I mean, how do you not include Feature Shoot on this list? They’ve been a super influential place to showcase photojournalism and some fine art photographers. Part of their effectiveness is their ethics on pushing progressive policies in the photography world that make photographers innovate and create images we haven’t really seen before. If you think that nothing is original these days, then you should check out Feature Shoot.

Visit their website.

Magnum Photos Magazine

Magnum Photos is one of the most well-known photo agencies pushing fine art documentary stories and producing photographers with images we don’t see in the mainstream media. Their magazine sometimes dives into their archives and highlights mentally stimulating things.

Visit their website.

A Photo Editor

This website has helped many photographers push their careers ahead over the years. But more importantly, they’re actively speaking with several photographers on their Instagram about transparency in how other photographers get paid, make their money, etc. It’s all fantastic reads and great information that so many other photographers can learn from.

Visit their website.

Ignant

Ignant is an arts magazine, but they have a heavy emphasis on photography. They talk with some big photographers and have a unique spin on various photojournalistic stories with a fine art look. Combine that with their minimal advertising, and you’ve got a beautiful thing.

Visit their website.

Urth

Urth is primarily a manufacturer of things like bags, filters, and other accessories. But their photography magazine is something special to behold. It regularly features work that you don’t find anywhere else.

Visit their website.

The Phoblographer

We’re putting ourselves on this list for several reasons. First off, the Phoblographer works to help people understand how to connect their technical and artistic brains. We do this through interviews and advocacy within the photography world. We’re one of the only photo-speciality publications that puts a massive emphasis on diversity hiring and coverage. We regularly feature POCs, women, and LGBTQAI photographers. We’re also very big on naming our sources and have connections with several museums and galleries throughout the world.

There was a time where gear wasn’t our main focus. And we’re actively revisiting this with new ideas and vision while keeping our original goals in mind.

Visit their website.

As Foshan’s art scene thrives, a series of exhibitions highlight the city’s rich cultural tapestry, from traditional customs and photography to international artistic exchanges. Showcasing works from local and global artists, these events offer a deep dive into the unique charm of southern China and beyond.

Traditions Reimagined

From the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to the 26th day of the first lunar month, the Four Seasons Art Gallery and Ancient Nanfeng Kiln host exhibitions that breathe new life into Foshan’s traditional customs. With a focus on welcoming spring, celebrating the New Year, and ushering in blessings, artists Ji Weiwei, Fu Weiwei, Wang Zhuo, and Xiao Haisheng capture the essence of Lingnan’s rich cultural heritage through their artistry.

Photographic Journey Through Time

The “Weaving Time” exhibition at Serrangel Art Space until March 31, 2024, pays homage to a century of photographic development in Guangdong. By selecting works from a hundred photography masters, the exhibition threads together narratives that reflect the region’s significant contribution to the fabric of Chinese photographic history, offering a panoramic view of Guangdong’s grand history of photography.

Artistic Dialogues Across Borders

The Boxes Art Museum and the He Art Museum present exhibitions that foster international dialogue through art. Go Yayanagii and Tetsuo Mizu showcase the fusion of diverse cultures in their works, while the He Art Museum’s upcoming exhibition features Billy Childish’s paintings alongside landscapes by Chinese contemporary artists. These events highlight the transformative power of art in bridging cultural divides and exploring the spiritual and natural world.

As Foshan’s art exhibitions unfold, they not only celebrate the city’s cultural diversity but also underscore the global interconnectedness of the art world. Through these exhibitions, Foshan asserts itself as a vibrant hub for artistic exploration and dialogue, inviting audiences to reflect on the enduring impact of art across time and space.

I didn’t know what to expect when I found out I would be traveling to Savannah. I had never looked into what Georgia was like, and no one around me had been there either. When I started researching it, I was surprised by how lush the nature was. Even from the plane, I could see the marshes that surround the city, and I began to understand where I was landing.

I come from the Catalan region of Empordà, where I developed my passion for nature as a kid. After moving to Barcelona I started to photograph my surroundings, including friends and lovers, I began to realize my connection with nature, too. Since then I’ve been growing my interest in it and diving deeper through the years.

Entering the city of Savannah, everywhere you look, majestic oaks adorned with spanish moss seem to guide you. This moss creates an enchanted air on every avenue and often forms huge hanging structures. It plays a crucial role in setting the mood of the place—now I can understand why it is sometimes regarded by locals as the “enchanted” city. 

One day, a friend and I decided to visit a national park about an hour northwest of Savannah, where we went kayaking through the swamp. We loved paddling through the quiet, still black water. We were lucky enough to be alone for a long time, enjoying the peaceful and serene park, meandering around, surrounded by the submerged cypress trees. Those trees rose so high up that it felt like they’d touch the sky—it was surreal.

In a way, it felt like heaven with the serenity of the water and the sounds of birds; but there was a glimpse of mystery too, with the water’s darkness and distant splashing from time to time.

Capturing the natural beauty of this place was easy for me, but it was trickier to capture the hidden details of the ecosystem, like spiderwebs, camouflaged little insects, and lichen. Once you start contemplating those small details of the ecosystem, you only see more and more depth, eventually feeling the complexity of it all.

Before leaving, we sat in silence to appreciate our surroundings one last time when I saw a baby alligator swimming a few meters away from us. We were aware there could be some, as pointed out in several signs around the park, but that gave us a great ending to the adventure.

Nature is my most beloved subject and enjoying a place like this made me want to share how impressive this landscape was, the wide extension and the never ending little details. I like to think that—apart from capturing the scene—I might also encapsulate a sense of time and emotion from within, the aura that draws you closer to the image.