The aim of this 9-week course is to provide guidance to those currently exploring Film Photography or Analogue Photography at an intermediate stage. The course will enable a further understanding of how to develop your manual camera techniques. The course will enable you to extend your practice using the darkroom and enhance the quality of the black and white prints you produce.
Scheduled as part of the course, participants are invited into our digital photography studio to utilise the equipment available.
This intermediate level evening course will allow you to familiarise yourself with different manual cameras and their formats. This will mainly consist of 35mm 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. Guidance will also be provided to assist in deciding which film to use during different situations. During the course you will learn how to use a ‘bulk film loader,’ a device also referred to as a film winder. Advice in relation to how this device can significantly reduce the cost of film will be shared as well as how the device can also offer increased control over your own workflow.
Provided will be the opportunity to enhance both your camera and lens control techniques, during which you will exploit depth of field and precision with relation to exposure calculations.
You are provided the opportunity to explore chemical choices and their dilutions whereby examining both the importance of time and temperature over and above dilution.
You will learn how to operate various types of enlargers and their light sources, whilst learning how to manipulate exposures with both burning and dodging techniques.
Consequently, you will develop your own experience of testing with film whilst enhancing your ability to produce quality black and white prints to exhibit.
Learning Methods
This course will be delivered on campus from 18:30 – 21:00 every Wednesday for 9 weeks, excluding public holidays.
Activity Summary
- Minimum of 8 students, maximum of 8 in the group
- 22.5 hours of teaching in total over 9 evenings, 18:30 – 21:00
Timetable
- Week 1: 10 September 2025 - workshops start
- Week 2: 17 September
- 24 September - no class
- Week 3: 1 October
- Week 4: 8 October
- 15 October - no class
- 22 October - no class
- Week 5: 29 October
- Week 6: 5 November
- Week 7: 12 November
- Week 8: 19 November
- Week 9: 26 November – last workshop
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.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
This course is suitable for intermediate level.
Required Age
All students are required to be at least 16 years of age on the commencement of the course.
For Academic Year 2025/2026
Course fee: £280 per person
The fee is to be paid as part of sign up process and prior to the first session.
After completing the registration form, you will be directed to the payment page. Your place on the course is not confirmed until payment has been received. If you have any difficulties locating the payment link or if you have registered for this course but have not completed the payment form, please contact us for a direct link to pay which will bypass registration.
Additional Costs
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.
Participants are required to purchase their own film and photographic paper following the first class.
The following course-related costs are not included in the course fees:
Course Cancellation
If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.
If you have registered and paid for your place on the course, but now wish to cancel, please email engage@rgu.ac.uk at least 48 hours prior to the first evening session commencing.
Disclaimer
For new intakes course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in advance. For further information see:
Any questions?
Get in touch with the Engage Team and we'll do our best to help.