Learn how to use a large format 8 x 10 camera to make informal portraits! This is a great way to commemorate a special event, such as a holiday or birthday, or just play a little with the camera.

The large format camera is a Deardorff, one of those box cameras that you see in the movies where people duck under a cloth to compose and focus their picture. The magic of this experience is working with the historic camera, and the beautiful, very detailed 8 x 10 portraits that are possible with this camera. We will show you how to do everything — from loading the film holders, to composing your portrait with the camera, to processing the paper negative.

Each participant will get the chance to make a portrait of someone else and to have one made of them. After processing, you can take a picture of the negative with your phone to get a quick look and a jpeg of the results. After the session, we will scan and send your group leader digital files of each portrait. We can also mail you the paper negatives after they have dried.

The whole session takes place under regular room lights or the safelight in the darkroom; there is no total darkness involved in this session.