Large format camera workshop
Time: 10:00 - 13:00
Location: Kean Street Photography Studio
- Course Code: VY553
- Dates: 05/06/25 - 26/06/25
- Time: 10:00 - 13:00
- Taught: Thu, Daytime
- Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
- Location: Kean Street Photography Studio
- Tutor: Matthew Ward
Course Code: VY553
Duration: 4 sessions (over 4 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Large format photography is still popular due to the detail in the results, the control of focusing and the contemplative approach in using it. This course will introduce you to large format camera techniques and equipment, along with the advantages and disadvantages of working in this way. Practical demonstrations are an important part of this short course, as well as a discussion about digital technology.
What will we cover?
- Camera movements
- Correcting verticals
- Control of depth of field
- Loading film
- Handheld light metering
- Lens choice
- film processing at a kitchen sink
- Capturing images using digital and large format film
- Scanning and digital printing of 5”x4” format film.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- load large format film
- use a handheld light meter
- process black and white 5x4 inch film
- photograph a scene using camera movements to correct perspective
- photograph a scene using camera movements to control depth of focus
- scan and digitally print a large format negative.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
You will be expected to be fairly proficient in the use of the manual exposure settings of a camera, but a beginner at large format photography.
You will need to be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and prepared to take part in group discussion. You should be happy using numbers and able to do simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This is a practical course with talks, demonstrations and discussions followed by practical exercises. The course is taught in a dedicated photographic studio.
The course also uses Google Classroom (an online teaching resource) for you to share comments with your class, download course material and upload images as appropriate, for group crits.
Google classroom login help.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Some black and white film will be provided and you will be provided with the chemistry to process a couple of sheets of film. If you wish to shoot colour film or need multiple sheets of black and white film, you will need to supply this yourself.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You can further your interest in the theory or practice of photography in a wide range of courses at City Lit. You can find these courses under the Photography section of the website.
Matthew started teaching at the City Lit in 2005 and is now the photography department coordinator. He has worked in darkrooms, Av production, artwork reproduction, photography assisting, studio management and freelance commercial photography. He has shots cars for Chrysler, posters for the National Theatre and dolls for the Queen. To date he has been commissioned to illustrate over 150 books, shooting across the World. He has shot commercially on 10x8, 5x4, medium format, 35mm, DSLRs, digital backs, specialist panoramic cameras and the occasional shoe box (for pin-hole). Matthew has a degree in photography, a post graduate diploma in digital colour imaging and a PGCE in education..
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.