Photography for the Beginner with Neal Murray Short Course
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-05-05 |
Program Overview
This 6-week course has been designed to provide beginners with the basic principles of Film Photography, a discipline also referred to as Analogue Photography. During the course you will be introduced to manual camera operation, darkroom practice and the production of black and white prints.
Program Outline
Film Photography/Analogue Photography is a process whereby photographs are produced using light-sensitive rolls of film. The process uses chemicals to capture an image, typically on paper or film.
At the start of this course you will be introduced to different manual cameras and their formats. This will mainly involve the use of 35mm film and 120 medium format cameras. Participants are asked to provide their own camera for the duration of the course however you are invited to use any manual format. Throughout the course you will be taught how to operate both camera and lens controls as well as how to produce correct exposure techniques.
In addition, you will learn about the importance of precision with time, temperature, and the dilution of chemicals. Furthermore, you will be taught how to load films onto spirals ready for development - a technique actioned in complete darkness. Afterwards, using our darkroom you will learn how to develop your film whilst working under red light conditions. Using a device called an enlarger, you will be taught how to operate its controls in order to alter size, focus and contrast via different filters. Using this method, you will make contact sheets, enabling you to test various exposure times and contrast with the aim to produce your own black and white print.
Disclaimer
The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our
course and module disclaimer
for more information.Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus from 18:45 – 20:45 every Monday for 6 weeks. Please note there will be no class on Monday 17 April and Monday 8 May as they are Bank Holidays.
Activity Summary
Independent Study
Students are encouraged to create and maintain a personal sketchbook which reflects their own creative practice involving the documentation of processes, learnings, and inspirations.
Participants will require their own film camera with manual control for the duration of the course. Typically, a 35mm SLR or medium format camera will be required but this will not be essential to start the course. Advice regarding cameras will be provided during the first class.
After guidance, course participants will be expected to shoot film between classes, ready for development.
Participants are required to purchase their own film and photographic paper following the first class.
Assessment
This course is not formally assessed.
Staff Delivering on this Course
Photographer Neal Murray has delivered a range of photography courses based on the use of film, these span across the last 35 years. Murray has taught at Gray’s School of Art since 1998. The photographer has a grounding in sound recording as well as film editing and film camera operation. Within his practice he works almost exclusively using black and white film as his starting point. This involves working with the following camera formats: 35mm film, medium format, large format, and pin hole photography.
Neal Murray
