Part 1 In this hands-on class, students will step into the world of film photography using a disposable camera to capture creative and dramatic photographs. Students will explore how lighting, shadows, angles, composition, and perspective can transform an ordinary subject into an intriguing photograph. Using dramatic lighting, students will experiment with creating mystery, contrast, silhouettes, highlights, and deep shadows. They will plan and capture a series of photographs while learning to think like a photographer and make intentional choices about what they want their images to communicate.

After photographing, students will learn the process of developing film in a darkroom. They will experience the traditional photographic process of working with light-sensitive materials and watch their images emerge from the film.

In Part 2 of this hands-on experience, students will return to the darkroom to transform their developed 35mm film negatives into photographic prints. Students will learn how photographers use an enlarger to project a negative onto light-sensitive photographic paper and control the final image through exposure and timing.

Students will experiment with enlargement, cropping, exposure, contrast, and composition while creating a series of black-and-white prints. Through test strips and trial-and-error, they will discover how small adjustments can dramatically change the mood and appearance of a photograph.

The lesson will conclude with students selecting and presenting their strongest photographs, reflecting on how their creative choices with lighting, composition, and exposure influenced the final artwork.