Student Stories
An eye opening
experience to the
foundations of
black & white film.
My favorite part was first going
into the dark and doing
everything in the literal dark.
into the dark and doing
everything in the literal dark.
Paul
Film will not and must not go away!
The faculty at SoL are a gift to the city of Los Angeles.
Wise and open-hearted, they take joy in others’ exploration and growth. And they have enough respect for the craft to run a pristine space.
Wise and open-hearted, they take joy in others’ exploration and growth. And they have enough respect for the craft to run a pristine space.
It makes me hopeful for humankind that a place such as this exists and that people use it every week.
Charlotte
My placement at SoL
has been the biggest
learning experience of
my life so far.
I was interested in the unique
experimental classes that aren’t
offered anywhere else - Cameraless
Darkroom Photography techniques
such as photograms, chemigrams,
watergrams and crystalograms.
I now notice the abstractions that appear when you look at natural forms close up after learning how to create crystalograms.
I now notice the abstractions that appear when you look at natural forms close up after learning how to create crystalograms.
As an artist, it can be extremely
beneficial to share and discuss
my ideas and concepts with other
creatives as their knowledge and
feedback can develop and
enhance them and can lead me to
produce more refined work.
My One-on-One classes
ultimately taught me how to
look at the world from a new
perspective.
ultimately taught me how to
look at the world from a new
perspective.
Phoebe
The School
helps maintain
my life spark!
Loved the small class size, attention
to each student’s work, and great darkroom layout. Very cool to see
the chemigrams come to life.
Much room for experimentation
Much room for experimentation
In this big bad city,
this is my refuge.
It’s the best part of my week and I keep coming back.
this is my refuge.
It’s the best part of my week and I keep coming back.
David
In a weekend,
my world changed.
I was fully equipped for the
advanced class - which was
nothing short of magnificent.
Nothing is quite as exciting as watching your photograph come to life, or as empowering as knowing you have full creative control in the darkroom.
I’ve taken numerous classes at SoL and continue to expand my creativity into exotic and uncharted realms.
It’s indeed a splendid place.
I’ve taken numerous classes at SoL and continue to expand my creativity into exotic and uncharted realms.
It’s indeed a splendid place.
Bryce
I was lost and now I've found the light.
Los Angeles native and keen surfer
Bryce always keeps a film camera
with him. Whether its his beautiful
vintage Nikonos underwater SLR in
the waves, or his compact Leica on
trips to the California high desert.
Working in the darkroom can induce a zen-like state of calm concentration and Bryce sees the joys of shooting film in an almost spiritual context.
Working in the darkroom can induce a zen-like state of calm concentration and Bryce sees the joys of shooting film in an almost spiritual context.
What was the most valuable thing you
learned in class?
Studying darkroom technique at The School of Light has taught me to respect my negatives, it’s the most important thing!
Mitch
It's very rewarding to shoot, process and print your art.
I am very pleased with the work I
have produced and always
appreciate learning new printing
techniques.
The School of Light has given me the opportunity to create art in an intimate environment.
The School of Light has given me the opportunity to create art in an intimate environment.
What was the most valuable thing you
learned in class?
The art of analogue printing.
Carl
Life changing.
Taking darkroom courses at The
School of Light has reignited my
creative spirit. Because of the
confidence I've gained, as a result of
Andrew's encouragement and deep
knowledge of the craft, I now travel
everywhere with my 35mm camera.
My photos have jumped from amateur pics to works of art I am actually proud of.
My photos have jumped from amateur pics to works of art I am actually proud of.
Which part of the course was your
favorite and why?
Working with the model in the
studio. Printing is a close second.
Working with the model in the
studio. Printing is a close second.
Let’s keep film alive!
Anthony
I love fashion.
Between running his own hair and
beauty business, high profile TV
appearances and a vigorous
personal fitness regime, Anthony
managed to find time to study
photography at The School of Light,
and loved every minute of it,
producing incisive work with a witty
sense of composition and structure.
Which part of the course was your
favorite and why?
Portraits. I love fashion, people, style and the human form so that was something I got a lot out of.
Seeing things from a new perspective
gave me a lot of clarity on how to shoot
things in a much more interesting way.
What was the most valuable thing you
learned in class?
It was great to learn how to use my camera to its fullest extent.
Sorrell
My style is relaxed.
I had been shooting recreationally
for a few years, and was looking to
transition into professional
photography. I felt it was important
to learn the fundamentals of studio
lighting and wanted an environment
that had a more personal touch to
get the kind of one-on-one support
I needed.
Can you sum up your experience at the School
of Light in one sentence?
The School helped me gain the confidence and skills I needed to expand my professional repertoire.
I understand that our pets are our
family and believe we should
celebrate their spirit through fine
photography.
To see more of Sorrell’s work with animals, visit petsbysorrell.com
To see more of Sorrell’s work with animals, visit petsbysorrell.com
Hikaru
I adore it.
While I have been enthusiastic about shooting black & white film in the past, The School of Light has fundamentally changed my experience. Printing in the dark room makes the entire process more tangible thus illuminating each step. I adore it.
What was the most valuable thing you learned in Class?
Photons respect diligent light wranglers. I like to print.
Andrew is a passionate mentor and I value his considered
guidance and honed methods.
I look forward to watching
many more prints develop at
The School.
Which part of the course was your
favorite and why?
Printing...a tangible photograph is alchemy.
