Unlocking the World of Large Format Photography: Join Us on March 8, 2025!

4-Sessions: Saturdays, March 8, 15, 22 & 29
Time: 10 AM–2 PM

In this extensive four-week program, participants will explore the nuances of using a 4×5 view camera. BDC Founder Mike Kamber and Darkroom Manager Carlos de la Sancha will guide learners on handling large format cameras, developing negatives, and printing their photographs in the darkroom.

Large-format photography sets itself apart from other analog methods through exceptional focus on detail and image quality. The view camera enables photographers to capture images with outstanding sharpness and an expansive tonal range. The deliberate, contemplative process of composing and exposing each shot invites photographers to engage intimately with their subjects.

After each class session, participants will have access to the BDC’s cutting-edge darkroom facilities. Furthermore, enrolled students can rent the BDC darkroom on Saturday afternoons post-class at a 35% discount.

Participants should arrive ready with a 25-sheet box of Ilford HP5 4×5 film. The BDC will supply the 4×5 cameras and necessary tools for in-class use.

Capacity for this workshop is capped at 10 participants. This workshop presumes basic understanding of manual exposure and film photography.

Questions? Reach out to mike@bronxdoc.org

Cost: $350 (Students must supply their own 4×5 film, as mentioned above)

Participants will also earn a $100 credit for darkroom hours post-workshop and can schedule additional hours at a 20% discount for the next month.

Instructors:

Mike Kamber has worked as a photojournalist and editor for over 30 years, contributing to The New York Times and other prominent international publications. He has been shooting, developing, and printing black-and-white film since the 1970s. He is the Founder and Creative Director of the Bronx Documentary Center.

Carlos de la Sancha (@carlos_delasancha) hails from Mexico City, Mexico, and specializes in bookmaking, portrait photography, distinctive chromogenic prints, poetry, and street photography. He serves as the Darkroom Manager at the Bronx Documentary Center. De la Sancha holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the Universidad Autónoma de México, acquired in 2006, before shifting his focus to photography with studies at various institutions across Berlin, Oaxaca, and Mexico City, where he gained experience as a printer and production assistant for Cristina Kahlo for more than 7 years. In 2021, he completed his Creative Practices Certificate at the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York City. He currently resides and works in Brooklyn, NY.