Penumbra Foundation
Classes Online
The Penumbra Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing workshops, education, lectures, and events to the worldwide photographic community. They aim to be a comprehensive resource for photographers of all levels and to promote the impact of photography on culture, history, and the arts.
5 classes with availability
An Introduction to Alternative Process
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Try historic photographic printing through hands-on experiments with cyanotype, salted paper, and albumen processes. The workshop offers practical advice for setting up a home workspace, safely handling chemicals, and sourcing materials affordably. Through live demonstrations and group discussion, build a strong foundation in alternative photography and uncover new creative directions.
Nov 1st
1–4pm ET
Meets 5 Times
$578
6 Seats Left
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Sun. Nov 1st, 1–4pm ET
(15 hours over 5 sessions)
Starting Where You Are: The Autobiographical Lens
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Explore the power of personal narrative through photography grounded in your daily life and surroundings. This reflective course encourages you to use your home, memories, and routines as creative inspiration while building a body of work. Through writing prompts, critiques, and artist studies, you'll develop a meaningful practice rooted in authenticity and self-discovery.
Oct 29th
6–8pm ET
Meets 6 Times
$465
6 Seats Left
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Thu. Oct 29th, 6–8pm ET
(12 hours over 6 sessions)
Sustainable Photographic Practices
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Explore safer, more environmentally responsible approaches to photographic practice. Learn about alternatives to hazardous chemicals, waste disposal, metal salt recovery, homemade developers, and unconventional light-sensitive materials. Through demonstrations and experimentation, build practical skills for incorporating sustainable processes into your darkroom workflow.
Nov 9th
6–8pm ET
Meets 4 Times
$318
6 Seats Left
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Mon. Nov 9th, 6–8pm ET
(8 hours over 4 sessions)
How to Write an Artist Statement
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Learn to effectively communicate the concepts and processes behind your artwork through the power of words. This course at Penumbra Foundation will equip you with the skills to craft a compelling artist statement, ensuring that your work is contextualized and understood by funders, galleries, and the public. Say goodbye to writer's block and share your artistic vision with the world.
Dec 5th
10am–1pm ET
Meets 2 Times
$345
10 Seats Left
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Sat. Dec 5th, 10am–1pm ET
(6 hours over 2 sessions)
Analog to Digital: Post-Processing Workflow
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Build a consistent post-processing workflow for digitized film using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Learn to refine color and black-and-white negatives, make batch adjustments, and remove dust with precision retouching tools. Weekly assignments and feedback help reinforce techniques and produce polished, high-quality final files from existing scans.
Dec 6th
10am–12:30pm ET
Meets 2 Times
$195
6 Seats Left
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Sun. Dec 6th, 10am–12:30pm ET
(5 hours over 2 sessions)
More classes to explore
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Still Life Styling and Photography
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Transform vintage objects into captivating still life compositions that tell a story. Explore the art of arranging heirlooms, ephemera, and flea market finds to create evocative object portraits. Learn techniques for composition, backdrop selection, and visual storytelling to craft striking images for art, gifts, or sales. Perfect for those looking to elevate their creative photography.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Failing Up
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Break free from the fear of failure and unlock new creative potential. This course encourages bold experimentation, turning mistakes into catalysts for growth and innovation. Through reflection, peer engagement, and fearless exploration, you'll discover how missteps can lead to powerful breakthroughs in your artistic process.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Cinema and the Photobook
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
In 8 classes over 16 weeks, this course will investigate the shared language between photobooks and cinema, and explore what one form can teach us about the other. A handful of films (fiction and non-fiction, features and shorts) will be assigned to watch outside of class, and then sessions will be used to further dissect these films in terms of their narrative structure, editing techniques and directorial approach. Through analyses, readings, conversations...
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Anatomy of a Portrait
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Discover the history and techniques behind the art of portrait photography in this online workshop. Through discussions, assignments, and readings, you'll delve into the philosophy of portraiture and learn how to capture the essence of your subjects through the lens. Uncover the secrets of this art form and elevate your skills with the guidance of industry experts at Penumbra Foundation.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Writing for Competitions, Residencies & Grants
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Prepare to propel your artistic career forward with our comprehensive workshop at Penumbra Foundation. Over six weeks, master the art of crafting compelling applications for competitions, residencies, and grants. From refining your artist statement to polishing your CV, gain the essential skills to stand out in the competitive arts landscape.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Creative Writing for Imagemakers
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Discover how writing can deepen and reshape your visual art practice. Through guided exercises and artist case studies, you'll explore the power of text in photo-based work and artist books. Build strategies to refine, sequence, and present your creations, leaving with tools to craft richer, more resonant experiences for your audience.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Printing with Copper: The Cuprotype Process
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Step into a nineteenth-century photographic printing method that uses copper salts to make richly toned images. Learn to move from digital negatives through chemistry, coating, exposure, and precise toning for stability and color control. Pick up techniques such as ferroblending to grow your palette from warm golds to deep purples and refined neutrals.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Developing Writing for Photo Projects
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Enhance your photography with compelling writing that deepens meaning and impact. Explore how text and images interact, refine your storytelling through guided workshops, and develop a writing style that complements your visual work. Whether you're crafting research-based narratives or lyrical prose, gain the tools to seamlessly integrate words and photographs for a more powerful, cohesive project.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Photo Artists’ Books
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Discover how photo-based books can become powerful, intimate storytelling tools. Learn to sequence images, explore creative binding techniques, and connect structure with concept through guided demonstrations and feedback. Ideal for those ready to turn images into a tactile, narrative experience.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Anthotypes & Other Organic Processes I
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Explore plant-based photographic processes including anthotypes, chlorophyll printing, lumens, and phytograms. This course combines weekly demos and critiques with at-home assignments, helping students create images using organic materials and camera-less techniques.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Applying for Residencies, Fellowships and Small Grants
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Feeling overwhelmed by application writing? This course will help you master the art of crafting compelling artist statements, résumés, bios, project descriptions, and proposals. Through interactive sessions and guided research, you'll develop a comprehensive portfolio and gain the confidence to pursue residencies, fellowships, and small grants with ease.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Collecting, Appropriating, Re-presenting
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
In the spirit of Joachim Schmid’s call for “no new photographs until the old ones have been used up!”, this six-week course will explore various methods of reusing and transforming existing photographic imagery. Through a mixture of lectures, readings, and group discussions, the course will trace the history of photographic appropriation throughout the 20th century, look at numerous contemporary artists and photobook makers working with found...
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
With an Eternal Wing: Embodying Queer Histories in Photography
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Embark on a transformative journey through the lens of queer history in photography. Explore the intertwined narratives of writing, performance, and visual storytelling, guided by an esteemed instructor deeply rooted in this legacy. Join a community of creatives, delving into personal narratives and emerging with a profound understanding of their place within the continuum of queer expression.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Little Sips of Selfhood: Professional Practices for the Parent Artist
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Reconnect with your creative identity in this supportive course designed for parent artists. Through biweekly meetings, gentle exercises, and tailored goals, you’ll find ways to balance art and parenthood—whether by refreshing your portfolio, setting a studio schedule, or simply rethinking your creative space. Join a community that understands the unique challenges of sustaining art within the journey of parenting.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
The Photobook as a Visual Pageturner: Editing & Sequencing in Photobooks
Penumbra Foundation See all classes by this school @ Virtual Classroom
Explore the art of storytelling through photobooks by mastering techniques like sequencing, pacing, and visual rhythm to evoke cinematic experiences. Dive into hands-on exercises and discussions to refine your editing skills, balance visual elements, and enhance emotional impact. Gain inspiration from historical and contemporary approaches to photobook design.
This class isn’t on the schedule at the moment, but save it to your Wish List to find out when it comes back!
Reviews of Penumbra Foundation
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Failing Up
I was the most inexperienced member of the class and the only one who primarily worked in digital photography and associated editing programs. Nonetheless, I found the instructor and the other class members helpful and supportive. -
Mini Series: Kallitype
The class was very informative. The teacher was great. I was disappointed by the way my prints came out. It was an issue with many of the prints. Not sure if it was the way it was processed or the chemicals and think that needs to be worked out before this class is done again. -
Pinhole Workshop for Teens
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Plein-Air Photograms and Darkroom Experimentation
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Studio Lighting for Wet Plate
Sam Dole helped me complete a three year search for the right combination of studio lighting, he is knowledgeable, articulate and a professional. I would likely take additional courses with him in the future. Thanks all, JR Morgan -
How to Write an Artist Statement
I loved the instructor Liz! Fabulous person! -
Digital Negatives and Platinum Palladium Printing
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Five Days of Alternative Process
I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the Staff there. -
Building a Camera Obscura
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Chemigram
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Pinhole Workshop for Teens
