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.
Discover the intricate art of creating vibrant, multi-layered prints using the ancient technique of Gum Bichromate at the esteemed Penumbra Foundation. Unleash your creativity as this hands-on workshop guides you through the history, materials, and workflow required to produce stunning full-color prints. This is an accessible opportunity to delve into this captivating process.
Next start date:
Saturday, Apr 6th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Learn advanced techniques in platinum-palladium printing and create breathtaking large-scale prints in this exclusive workshop. Master the technical complexities of this revered process and produce stunning images up to 20x24". Previous experience in platinum-palladium printing and basic Photoshop skills are required.
Next start date:
Saturday, Apr 13th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Experience the magic of creating unique images through the historic process of wet plate collodion. Learn the art of hand pouring chemicals onto metal plates to create stunning tintypes and ambrotypes. Unleash your creativity and immerse yourself in this hands-on workshop.
Next start date:
Saturday, Apr 20th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Explore the fascinating world of plant-based photography in this hands-on workshop. Learn how to create beautiful images using the photosensitive qualities of plants, with processes like anthotype printing and phytograms. Engage with nature and capture stunning images using the sun as your medium.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 4th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Embark on a captivating journey through the art of lumen printing amidst the vibrant streets of Manhattan. Explore cameraless image-making with found materials, capturing ethereal pastel tones in gelatin silver paper under the city's dynamic light. Join us for a hands-on workshop where participants of all ages can unleash their creativity and discover the magic of lumen prints.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 18th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Unlock your creativity and learn the art of photograms in this beginner-friendly workshop at Penumbra Foundation. Dive into the darkroom as you explore the limitless possibilities of creating images without a camera. Experiment with light-sensitive material and objects' shadows to capture stunning and unique works of art.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 11th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Discover the power of documentary photography in this immersive workshop led by acclaimed photographer Sabiha Çimen. Gain insights into storytelling and composition techniques, and receive personalized feedback on your long-term project. Unveil hidden corners of contemporary life and create a body of work that leaves a lasting impact.
Next start date:
Sunday, May 12th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Learn the historical technique of creating gelatin silver dry plates in this weekend workshop. Discover how to mix and coat your own plates, shoot dry plate negatives, and develop your images. Take home your coated plates to continue practicing this unique photographic process.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 18th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Discover the transformative power of large-format photography in this hands-on workshop at Penumbra Foundation. Unleash your creative potential by mastering camera movements and controlling focus and perspective. Immerse yourself in the world of large-format photography and create stunning images like never before.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 25th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Unleash your creativity in the fascinating world of cyanotype photography at Penumbra Foundation. Dive into the process of sculpting light and shadow to create unique artworks on archival paper. Join us for a weekend workshop where students of all levels will explore cyanotype as a playful ritual, crafting captivating compositions using intriguing materials and UV light.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 25th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Unveil the artistry and permanence of platinum printing in a masterclass led by renowned photographer Lois Conner. Explore the intricate world of hand sensitizing, paper selection, and troubleshooting in this intensive workshop. Elevate your craft with this unique opportunity to delve into the timeless elegance of platinum prints.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 1st, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the art of capturing the natural world using traditional tintype techniques. Embrace the beauty of the past and create timeless images with a modern twist.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 4th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Unlock the artistry of analog photography in Penumbra Foundation's immersive Darkroom Intensive. From capturing images with 35mm manual cameras to mastering the intricacies of darkroom printing, participants will embark on a journey of discovery guided by expert mentors. Whether novice or intermediate, this workshop offers a transformative experience, empowering students to create stunning prints and pursue their passion for photography with confidence.
Next start date:
Monday, Jun 3rd, 10am–4pm Eastern Time
Unlock the power of storytelling through photobooks in this immersive workshop at Penumbra Foundation. Dive deep into the editing and sequencing process, discovering narrative threads within your images. Join a supportive environment where your photography projects will be meticulously explored, helping you craft compelling visual narratives ready for publication.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 8th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Dive into the enchanting world of siderotypes in this immersive five-day darkroom workshop at Penumbra Foundation. Explore diverse iron-based processes including cyanotype, argenotype, and platinum/palladium, unlocking a spectrum of colors and tonal ranges. Perfect for photographers of all levels seeking new avenues of self-expression through innovative printing techniques.
Next start date:
Monday, Jun 10th, 11am–4pm Eastern Time
Discover the art of hand-applying light-sensitive silver gelatin to create captivating images on a variety of surfaces in this two-day workshop. Gain a greater understanding of emulsion application, artist hand, and media substrate to bring your unique concepts to life. Unleash your creativity and explore the magic of liquid emulsion printing.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 15th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Unlock the art of precision and creativity with view cameras in this comprehensive workshop. From mastering camera movements to perfecting lighting and composition, delve into the essentials of large format photography. By course end, you'll confidently capture architectural marvels, intricate still lifes, and captivating portraits, equipped with the skills to pursue your photographic vision independently.
Next start date:
Tuesday, Jun 18th, 11am–2pm Eastern Time
Learn the art of creating unique silver gelatin prints with a lith developer in this immersive two-day workshop. Discover the delicate warm tones and gritty shadows that lith printing brings to your images. Experiment, explore, and develop a foundation for your future personal work in the darkroom.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jun 22nd, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Unlock the artistic potential of large-format paper negatives through the captivating process of solarization. Dive into the realm of unique studio portraiture or still life, mastering the transformation from negative to positive images. Gain hands-on experience with ultra-large format cameras and leave with both prints and newfound skills to create distinctive solarized paper positives independently.
Next start date:
Sunday, Jun 9th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Uncover the timeless art of creating stunning images through the historic wet plate collodion process. Immerse yourself in the hands-on techniques and traditions that have shaped photography for generations. Discover the magic of turning raw materials into captivating images in this comprehensive course.
Next start date:
Saturday, Jul 6th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
The Penumbra Foundation is a non-profit photographic arts organization whose mission is to bring workshops and greater education, lectures, and events to a diverse and evolving international photographic community. Our scope spans photography from its 19th century invention to the present age.
Penumbra: ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: modern Latin, from Latin paene ‘almost’ + umbra ‘shadow.’
Our goal is to be a comprehensive resource for photographers at any level; artists, students, professionals, historians, researchers, conservationists and curators who want to learn, practice, and research these photographic arts and processes. We also endeavor to continue to publicize the impact photography has had and continues to have on culture, history and the arts.
We want to develop a community-based organization that will make available our resources to the greater photographic community, general public, members, students, educators, artists, photographers, professionals, like-minded organizations and institutions, and to develop more programs that fulfill our mission.
Reviews of Penumbra Foundation
(4.9-star rating across
8 reviews)
Studio Lighting for Wet Plate
Reviewed by John M. on 10/25/2021
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
Reviewed by Linda S. on 9/29/2019
I loved the instructor Liz! Fabulous person!
Five Days of Alternative Process
Reviewed by Baron B on 4/3/2018
I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the Staff there.
Wet Plate with Sam Dole (duplicate)
Reviewed by Baron B on 4/3/2018
I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the Staff there.
Daguerreotype
Reviewed by Baron B on 4/3/2018
I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the Staff there.
Pinhole Workshop for Teens
Reviewed by Colleen H. on 10/11/2023
Plein-Air Photograms and Darkroom Experimentation
Reviewed by Elena B. on 6/18/2022
Digital Negatives and Platinum Palladium Printing
Reviewed by Emi R. on 2/25/2019
Building a Camera Obscura
Reviewed by stephanie W. on 3/21/2017
Chemigram
Anonymous review on 6/5/2016
Pinhole Workshop for Teens
Reviewed by Carly H. on 10/31/2015
Review Summary by CourseHorse
Students who have taken classes at Penumbra Foundation rave about the knowledge and professionalism of the staff and instructors. One student mentioned that Sam Dole helped them in their search for the right combination of studio lighting over a three-year period, and they were impressed with his expertise and professionalism. Another student specifically mentioned their love for instructor Liz. Overall, students seem to consistently express satisfaction with the results they achieve in their classes at Penumbra Foundation and appreciate the high level of professionalism displayed by the staff.
Quotes:
- "Sam Dole helped me complete a three year search for the right combination of studio lighting, he is knowledgeable, articulate and a professional."
- "I loved the instructor Liz! Fabulous person!"
- "I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the staff there."
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