Saturday & Sunday

December 6 & 7

10AM-6PM

Class Size Max: 5

The view camera facilitates a unique, intimate, and performative dynamic between photographer and subject. This weekend workshop offers an introduction to the realm of large format portraiture. Introductory and intermediate students will be guided through a brief history and contemporary context of the view camera, technical view camera instruction, a tutorial on processing black and white sheet film, and scanning. Through guided exercises, lecture, conversation, and hands-on activities, students will gain the skills and practice to navigate using the view camera.

No prior experience is required. However, experience with analog photography is strongly encouraged. Students will leave the workshop with the comfort, confidence, and framework to continue using the view camera and integrate it into their practice.
Students are encouraged to bring their own 4x5 cameras, but it is not necessary as cameras will be provided for use during class time. Tuition includes 25 sheets of Ilford HP5 per student.

$75 materials fee included in tuition

If your desired tuition option is unavailable, please email info@penumbrafoundation.org and we will do our best to accommodate you. If the entire class is sold out, we can add you to the waitlist.

Sophie Schwartz is an artist living and working between Brooklyn, NY and Cleveland, OH. They use collaboration as an entry point to explore grief, memory, and queer connection. Schwartz received an MFA from Yale School of Art in 2023 and a BA in Modern Culture + Media from Brown University in 2017. They were awarded the Richard Benson Prize and Harvey Geiger Travel Fellowship from Yale University and were a finalist for the 2023 Silver List, Dorothea Lange–Paul Taylor Prize, Critical Mass, and the Palm Photo Prize. Their work has been exhibited at LaMama Galleria, François Ghebaly, AMANITA, Penumbra Foundation, Cleveland Print Room and Silver Eye Center for Photography, among others. They’ve worked with publications including VICE, Vogue, BOOOOOOOM, WÜL Magazine, PIQUE, and Architectural Digest. Their first book was published by Tall Poppy Press in 2023. They’ve taught at Rhode Island School of Design and Yale Norfolk School of Art and are currently faculty at New York University, Steinhardt and Penumbra Foundation. 


Images © Sophie Schwartz