Studio ESP proudly introduces our new photography workshop series made free for the community from generous grants from Arts Services Inc. and NY State Council on the Arts. Our beginner workshops focus on helping you learn the skills needed to express your creativity using photography. We do have limited space for this first run of workshops, but more will be planned for the future.

Workshop One: Camera Basics (DATE / TIME)

Take full control of your camera using the manual settings. This introductory workshop is designed to help beginner photographers build confidence with their gear, understand manual settings, and develop a stronger creative eye.

Whether you are picking up a camera for the first time or looking to refresh your foundational knowledge, this class provides a clear, supportive space to learn and practice.

What We’ll Cover:

• Manual Camera Controls: Get comfortable navigating your camera, menus, and essential buttons.

• The Exposure Triangle: Demystify how shutter speed, aperture (f-stop), and ISO work together to create a perfectly exposed image.

• Composition Essentials: Learn practical techniques for framing shots, using light, and creating balance in your photographs.

• Hands-On Practice: Put your new knowledge to work right away during a guided indoor and outdoor shooting exercise.

• Image Review & Q&A: Wrap up with a relaxed, constructive group review of your shots to discuss what worked, answer questions, and brainstorm ways to keep improving.

Workshop Two: B&W Film Development (DATE / TIME)

Step into the world of analogue photography and experience the rewarding process of developing black-and-white film by hand! This workshop guides you through the entire lifecycle of film, from loading the roll into a camera to unspooling finished negatives in the darkroom. By the end of class, you’ll leave with your own freshly developed negatives ready for scanning or printing.

What We’ll Cover:

• Shooting a Roll: Head out with a provided 35mm film camera to shoot a roll of black-and-white film while applying composition and exposure techniques.

• Darkroom Prep: Learn how to safely transfer your exposed film from the cassette onto developing reels in complete darkness.

• Chemical Processing: we cover the step-by-step chemical workflow—developer, stop bath, and fixer

• Negative Handling: Practice proper washing, drying, and storage methods to keep your physical film clean and protected.

• Students will leave with negatives in a protective sheet.

Workshop Three: Darkroom Photo Printing (DATE / TIME)

Discover the magical alchemy of traditional darkroom printmaking. In this hands-on workshop, you will step under the darkroom safelights to transform your black-and-white negatives into physical photo prints on paper. Students will leave with a few photo prints from their negatives.

What We’ll Cover:

• Darkroom Setup & Safety: Get familiar with enlargers, safelights, easel framing, and chemical setups.

• Test Strips & Exposure: Learn how to make test strips to determine the perfect exposure time and contrast level for your image.

• Enlarger Technique: Discover how to focus your negatives, adjust image size, and control light on your photo paper.

• Chemical Processing & Finishing: Master the tray process—developer, stop bath, fixer, and wash—to make lasting prints, and finish with drying and handling techniques.

All supplies needed and a camera will be provided, however feel free to bring your own camera if you have one.