Well it has been workshops galore of late ! And why not? Photography and techniques should be out there amongst the people and not just lurking online.
Working with Suffolk Wildlife Trust was an absolute pleasure. Along with SmellSense Charity I created a series of walks and cyanotype sessions responding to the unique landscape of the Carlton Marshes.
I also an enjoyed running a smartphone workshop for a legal firm in the City. They learned several tips and tricks, and hopefully I improved their awareness of ‘light’ and how their phones respond to it.
Big news, and just out, is my long-awaited Eco Photography Summer School!
Taking place across two green oases in South East London – we will be having lots of fun experimenting with sustainable photography processes! Various types of cyanotype and botanical toners, Anthotypes, prints on fabric and more! If you want to use digital negatives (probably the final session) contact me to arrange. Suitable for beginners to advanced.
I’ve always been interested in the overlap between the senses – sight, hearing, smell… . Many years ago I wrote a dissertation about Synaesthesia in Theatre and TV. I knew as a director that if you bombard the eyes with red for example, you will get a visceral response from your audience. I’ve always believed there are subliminal connections between for example colour and sound. For me a Middle C note is royal blue and always has been. After all, light and sound are just different types of waves, and colours and pitches are different frequencies.
Rosemary cyanotypes
When I work with ultraviolet light in my cyanotype printing I am very aware that the optimal frequency is 365nm. I can see the effects of sun, and all manner of clouds of the final print – I work with the weather to get the precise results I am after … I can control contrast and colour by harnessing the elements in the same way a farmer does to maximise his yield. This week I have noticed that my freckles start forming when UV breaches a certain point, I can literally feel them forming on my skin – no need for a light meter!
Pic of my mozzie bite and freckles
And that brings me to the connection between Earth, Body and Spirit, one that I fear we are losing in today’s concrete jungles. I’ve worked with city kids who have never touched a growing plant and don’t know where supermarket veg comes from beyond the plastic tray. When I lost my senses of smell and taste for years after Covid, the world felt a very 2-dimensional place. I felt detached, like I was living in a simulation of reality, a character in a computer game. When my senses returned I felt euphoric, and determined to never take these senses for granted again. I found out about the charity Fifth Sense who help people with smell/taste disorders and I did their training and now volunteer for them, to help raise awareness.
On the day that my sense of smell returned I happened to be picking rosemary at the John Evelyn Garden in Deptford. So this is where we are running an informal workshop on Fri 16 May 2025 2.30-4pm. Suitable for anyone wanting to explore the senses and nature, and to get hands-on with plants and make a cyanotype print with sunlight. We will be continuing the discussions of sensory perception then. Details on how to book a free place here
This year I have been perfecting certain formulae and techniques of sustainable photography. Traditional photography can contain toxic materials and be heavy on the use of water and electricity. I wanted to share my findings with local artists and photographers (of all levels) and to open up discussions of climate and Nature. Thanks to a grant from Bexley Three Rivers and Arts Council England I was able to do that. Over July and August we made sunprints, plant emulsions, and a photowalk in the woods.
I feel there is a real gap for summer activities in London, especially after the isolating lockdowns. Many clubs and classes shut down completely for summer. This became a bit of a ‘summer camp’ and was a lot of fun. It was full of moments of magic, discovery and laughter. Everyone said, they had never done anything like this before, and that was very rewarding for me as I strive to be original.
I’d like to say a massive thanks to all the enthusiastic participants, and to the helpful organisers, to the Belvedere Centre, and my assistants Tabby and Lewis.
I took this photo of the dry ferns when I was doing a reccee for our PhotoWalk day. It was the peak of the heatwave and drought. I could see smoke and was told there were firefighters dealing with a forest fire in the woods. I got out fast.
Seeing evidence like this in nature, plants struggling for survival, and human litter around the edges, we were able to discuss the threats to the green environment.
This dropped out of my fortune cookie and reminded me of a very important point. We learn most about the world by interacting with others. It’s no surprise to me that war and climate change came hot-on-the-heels of lockdown isolation, when we were detached from the lives and minds of others.
Until now I’ve not enjoyed ‘teaching’. My mum tried to make me follow in her footsteps and become a teacher. She taught PE, and I lacked the genes for that. I rebelled, and grew up thinking “those who can’t do, teach”.
With age comes wisdom. As I get older I have an urge to pass on knowledge. I have been able to educate people about Nature and Climate Change in the last few years and that gives me huge satisfaction. Added to that, income from workshops has been a great way to keep afloat during lockdowns and beyond. After all, I see my work as ‘experimental’ and experiments are not ‘commercial.’
This photo is from a drop-in workshop I held for Thamesmead Global Festival. The kids were ‘wowed’ by the process, and wanted to know “why” the paper turned blue.
I thoroughly enjoyed running a workshop in my natural habitat at the Gate Darkroom, I am doing another one on Thurs 29th Sept. I will post details on Facebook first, so keep an eye out.
My Cyanotype with Nature workshop at Birchmere Community Garden was a fantastic day I will never forget. More on that later. Big thanks to Bryan the gardening volunteer who joined in, and we all got talking about crucial issues of soil, specific plants and growing patterns.
Myself, Malcolm and Shiroma (working as Green Space Art Collective) recreated the old May Day traditions at John Evelyn Garden. It was great to get everyone celebrating Nature with Art workshops, Music and a history walk.
After giving a talk to a large audience in Winchester about Experimental Photography, I was asked back to do a workshop. This was an amazing day with accomplished photographers in an owl sanctuary. Fantastic.
I’m currently running an Eco Photography Project for Three Rivers Bexley, including 3 days working with local residents: on Cyanotypes, a photowalk in the woods, and finally Anthotypes.
The entreprenuer in me should have known that all those online workshops I led would lead to more demand for workshops, and less time spent on my own artistic output. This trend continues. With September exhibitions approaching I am very busy indeed.
Sarah Garrod 