Ghost Box
Biscuit Tin Cameras

Biscuit Tin Cameras is a workshop exploring the potential of low-tech imaging techniques. Participants use a camera designed by Kenny Bean made using a biscuit tin and a cheap convex lens to make their own stunning black and white photographs. Standard photographic paper is placed in the tin and the lens covered, a portrait is taken by allowing light to fall on the paper through the lens aperature for approx. 30 seconds. The paper negative is developed before being contact printed onto another piece of photo-paper to make a positive. Once a good technique is established and several photographs made, participants can experiment by creating ghostly effects utilising the long time exposures of these cameras. This workshop is great fun and de-mystifies the technology behind photographic image making. The workshop can last for a half day session or be expanded into a full day workshop.

Personality Photograms
Scrap Photograms

This is a two hour workshop based upon an exhibition by photo-artist Kenny Bean. It begins with a short explanation by Kenny about his own work and then demonstrates the process involved in creating a photogram image. This is a hands-on workshop and everyone is expected to make several personal images by the end of the session. The initial photograph to be made is a self-portrait using a selection of scrap objects placed on photographic paper. It is a highly creative process and includes writing on the image to express what participants think is their dominant personality trait. A second image creates a symbol using several small scrap objects which represents their chosen personality trait. Participants are then encouraged to explore the photogram technique by creating abstract images based on Kenny's own work. This workshop is great fun and is accessible to adults and children of all abilities.

Micro Monsters
Photo-microscopy

Microscope slides of insects and plants are placed in the enlarger instead of the negative to create incredibly detailed blow-up prints. Participants study the patterns found in samples such as coal sections and tarantula skins and discover how these patterns relate to the nature of their formation and growth. Finger prints taken at the start of the class are then blown up to study the patterns created on human skin. This is a two hour workshop.