A Film Photography Workshop for the Smartphone Generation

At IES Montes Orientales in Spain, we had the incredible opportunity to introduce students to the magic of analogue photography. We provided our Simple Use Reloadable cameras loaded with different types of film, encouraging students to explore photography beyond their smartphones. The result? A newfound appreciation for the patience, creativity, and excitement that comes with shooting on film.

This workshop was designed to introduce students to the art of photography and inspire their creative journey. The goal was to help them express their personalities and experiences through their photos while exploring the unique limitations and possibilities of film compared to digital photography. By encouraging them to think critically about photography as an art form, rather than just a smartphone feature, the project aimed to foster creativity and experimentation.

The following words are from teacher Max Checkor.

After graciously receiving our Simple Use Reloadable cameras from Lomography in a range of different films, teachers Beatriz Santiago Gomez, Francisca Revelles Garcia and Max Checkor set out to distinguish photography as an art form and separate it from taking photos from smartphone photography—something that most 14 to 16-year-old students have become accustomed to. This initiative also perfectly aligned with a new policy in Andalusian public schools banning the use of smartphones during school hours.

Our workshop was spread over three to four classes. In the first session, we covered the basics of composition in both Spanish and English, reviewing principles the students had encountered in other lessons throughout the year (rule of thirds, golden ratio, perspective). We also introduced them to the Lomography cameras and films they would be using.

This was where we saw a real spark of interest—many students had never used film cameras before, with some even asking where the on-camera screen was. We also explained the special characteristics of the preloaded film in each camera, whether black and white or one of Lomography’s more experimental films. The differences from traditional color photography were especially intriguing to the students.

What started as a workshop for a single class of 20 students quickly grew to include the entire grade. To accommodate everyone, we devised a plan to share the cameras, allowing each student a couple of frames to test their ideas in both indoor and outdoor settings. This approach helped illustrate not only differences in spatial perspective but also the crucial role light plays in photography—especially amplified in the analogue process.

A common reaction among students during the shoots was frustration with the non-instant nature of the results. This became an important lesson, reinforcing the anticipation that comes with non-screen-based approaches to photography and fostering a more mindful, disconnected way of engaging with art.

After anxiously waiting for their results, the students finally received their prints and negatives from the lab. The excitement rivaled that of sharks to chum—equal parts joy and teenage embarrassment at seeing the inevitable 90% of photos taken of each other.

We finished our project by creating a collage with the final photos, featuring various pictures of classmates: it was a fantastic experience for the students, and they were so happy and grateful for Lomography's support in making it happen!

As a longtime film lover and analogue photographer, my favorite part of the experience was seeing how fascinated the students were by the negatives. I’d even go as far as to say they enjoyed looking through the color-inverted film strips more than the final photos themselves. At that moment, I knew our workshop was truly successful. The final results were of minimal importance; our real goal was to spark curiosity and appreciation for the process above all else.

That’s not to say the final photos weren’t fantastic—our new Lomographers are genuinely talented!

A huge thank you to the teachers Beatriz Santiago Gomez, Francisca Revelles Garcia, and Max Checkor, as well as the school, for organizing this incredible project. Their dedication and enthusiasm made this experience truly special, inspiring a new generation of Lomographers!

Want to find out more about the basics of photography? Head to our LomoSchool.

written by melissaperitore on 2025-02-26 #gear #news #school #workshop #collaboration #spain #learning-with-lomography Share Article