MOBILE WORKSHOP BASED
ON THE ROLE OF LIGHT
IN PHOTOGRAPHY

DIASOL provides mobile workshops based on the discovery and experimentation of light in photography. Young people learn how to take photographs with minimal equipment, make cameras called cameras obscura with recycled objects, take pictures and develop them. They take up subjects of particular interest to them.

Photography is a means of expression and creation that does not require an innate talent or any skill in art since the result depends on the application of the photographic process. By learning photography as an artistic medium young people become more self-confident since they easily get encouraging results.

Learning photography and acquiring some knowledge of light are an introduction to various means of visual communication; young people experiment with new techniques that can be applied in different life-situations in their future.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

• Foster communication, expression and creativity among young people through visual art.
• Make the young aware of the role of light in photography.
• Awaken them to the power of the visual image in society.
• Train workshop facilitators for the different stages of the workshop.
• Provide extracurricular and school activities in disadvantaged areas.
• Show the importance of recycling.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

• Learn the basic principles of photography.
• Make cameras (cameras obscura) using recycled objects.
• Take part in the setting up of an improvised laboratory.
• Develop pictures taken in black and white.
• Participate in the mounting of exhibitions of photographic works.

WHO IS IT FOR?

These workshops are aimed at young people between 8 and 20 years of age from youth and community centers, primary and secondary schools, after-school centers and youth centers for the intellectually challenged of greater Montreal. Workshops dealing with photograms developed for children from 6 to 8 are also provided. Workshop facilitators are invited to take part in these workshops so as to acquire the knowledge needed to take over activities with the young.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

Setting up a giant camera obscura

Setting up a giant camera obscura allows children to understand some basic principles of light. In order to make one, all you have to do is darken a room entirely with black fabrics or pieces of cardboard and make a little hole (a pinhole) that lets in a thin ray of light carrying the image from outside into the darkroom. Inside the box the children observe where the image comes from and how the light carries it. This experiment stimulates discussion and raises several questions among the participants:

Why is the projected image reversed?

Why is the image sometimes in colour and other times in black and white?

Why are some objects or people clear whereas others are blurred?

How can you capture an image and stop its motion?

Making personalized cameras obscura

The young make their own cameras with recycled objects such as cardboard boxes or cans. There are three stages in this operation:

1. Making the box opaque by covering it with adhesive tape or black paint.

2. Making a lid so as to put photographic paper into the camera more easily.

3. Making a little hole (a pinhole) for the light to reach the back of the box, allowing the image to be printed on the photosensitive medium (photographic paper or film), then creating a removable door to control the light entry.

Once the cameras have been made, the young can insert the photosensitive medium into the cameras and start taking photographs.

Creating the laboratory

The giant camera obscura where the pinhole has been obstructed, thus preventing the light from getting in, is used as a photo lab. Red bulbs provide the necessary lighting and the chemicals (the developer, fixer and water) are placed in the room. In this improvised laboratory the young can put the photosensitive medium (photographic paper or film) into their cameras, develop the images and print positives from the negatives. Flashlights replace the enlargers normally used in darkrooms.

Developing the pictures

The exposed photographic paper is the negative the young must develop in chemicals. The latter are put in clearly identified basins. The first chemical, the developer, is used to develop the photographic image; it is necessary to immerse the image in the chemical solution for a minute. The second basin holds water for stopping the development process and cleaning the photograph; the picture is left in it for a minute or so. The third basin holds the fixer in which the picture will soak for two minutes. Afterwards the picture must be washed in water and dried.

Turning a negative into a positive

To turn a negative into a positive all you have to do is put some photographic paper and a negative opposite to each other (with their emulsified sides facing each other). The light must cross the negative, which is placed on the photographic paper. Enlargers need not be used as a light source; flashlights are quite enough for this process. A few seconds later the negative is automatically transferred onto the photogaphic paper, after which you just have to develop the positive, wash it and fix it with chemicals.

Photogram workshop

This workshop, meant for children between 6 and 8 years old, lasts about an hour. The participants experiment with the darkroom, learn how to make a photogram and watch the developing of their photographic paper.

In the darkroom the children are given some photographic paper on which they must put various objects so as to recreate a picture. Then they all together turn on their flashlights and light their picture. While the photographic paper is being developed, the children notice that following the exposure to light, the place where the object was put has remained white whereas the rest of the paper has become black. The young recognize the shape of the object on a black background.

Exhibition

This workshop ends with an exhibition. At the private view the young are invited to explain the camera obscura technique and speak about their learning experience.