Phoenix Amateur Photographers Workshops

Cyanotype print by Brian

For the past six months I’ve been running a regular monthly beginners photography course over in Runcorn. It’s an older group, originally formed to support men who were suffering with anxiety, over time the group has expended to anyone with an interest in photography.

I structured each session around a particular technique beginning with exposure with month one followed by composition, flash, basic editing and last week, simple Cyanotype prints.

It’s been great to watch the group develop – we split each session into a mixture of theory and practical experiments which seemed to suit everyone’s different needs. Some members of the group are a bit more advanced in some areas, and we happy to support others with less experience.

The Cyanipe session was fun – we’re going to continue this next month and then plan in some basic editing sessions. I’m expecting great things from this group in the future so watch out.

Cyanotype print by Val

Analogue Photography and Cyanotype

Over the last couple years I have been getting back in analogue photography. I’d forgotten how much the limitation on the number of shots and the development process itself really makes you think about the image you are taking before taking the photograph itself. I’ve also found the camera itself (I’ve been using a Widelux) promotes a dialogue with the general public – one that wouldn’t happen say if I was just using my phone.

New Brighton lighthouse

I also think that film itself has a certain delicate softer feel than this often harsher 4K world. I suppose I could achieve a similar feel with a certain amount of digital processing, but I like the element of surprise and potential for unexpected flaws that can add to the feel of an image. Similar to the way in which a record can pick up flaws and scratches that become unique to the listening experience.

New Brighton Lighthouse Cyanotype Print

I’ve been experimenting with different types of printing, mostly Cyanotype as it has proved to be the most practical at homeland I love the scratches and defects that can added (intentionally or not) to the process. I also love the way you can print on all sorts of found materials and objects which can create a whole new meaning to the work. I’m interested in exploring these ideas further, hopefully on a larger scale.

Trees – Cyanotype on Cardboard