Photography, Ecology & Ethics

The Sustainable Darkroom invites you to participate in our Slow Photography series, fusing theory and practice, to provide you with a deeper and more critical view of sustainability in photographic and filmmaking practice.

This is a three-part, online workshop taking place over the following Tuesdays in April: 15th, 22nd and 29th from 6pm - 8pm (GMT) online.
Participants will have access to full workshop recordings for 4 weeks.

Savannah from The Photo Ethics Centre and Hannah from the Sustainable Darkroom will deliver a series of short talks, creative tasks, discussions, and research actions. Over three weeks, participants will develop site-specific frame-works and methodologies for making ethical and ecologically situated photographic work. 

Experience Level: This workshop is for practitioners at any level. To get the most from the course, we recommend joining with a specific project in mind or that you are currently working on.

Tools:

• 1-3 x clip frames (or spare pieces of perspex / glass)
  
• 4-10 x strong clips (such as bulldog clips)

Materials:

• Paper (ideally watercolor and basic paper for notes)
• Coloured pencils/pens (3 x different colours)
  
  

Session 1: Assumptions and Biases: Learning from Place (15th April)

In this session we will expand on ideas for knowledge making. We will explore what it means to learn from place and situate a project in relation to culture, community, materials, & networks. Participants will acknowledge their own biases and assumptions before working to overcome them. We will also cover specificities of making low-impact work in-relation-to and in-relationship-with place. Self directed work will include building up  ‘data sets’  using place-based rubbings and mappings.

Session 2: Aligning Materials & Making with Concept  (22nd April)

In this session, we will look at how we can choose materials and methods of making that support the concept and goals of the work. We will consider the impacts and legacies that our making has and how we can develop reciprocal methods and approaches that add value both to the final work as well as the wider ecosystem and community. We will show various examples of reciprocity in creative practice and cover the process of chlorophyll printing - which will then be used for your self-directed work. 

Session 3: Dissemination and Afterlives of Images (29th May)

In this session, participants will review their original project goals and develop approaches and ideas for dissemination which align with these objectives. We will cover ethical considerations when it comes to sharing and publicising projects as well as methods and tips for low-impact and DIY approaches for display and showcase. Finally we will challenge ideas around permanence and consider afterlives of images.

------

Hannah Fletcher is a visual artist, based in the UK and the founder of Sustainable Darkroom. Hannah works predominantly across analogue photography. Her practice adapts around materials and environments, weaving photographic knowledge, processes and systems into ecological frameworks. Providing her with avenues through which she can rethink photographic futures that depart from capitalist ideologies.

Hannah is represented by Land Art Agency and has 
taught at venues including The Science Gallery, V&A, The Royal Academy, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe (Hamburg), Hestercombe Gardens and Gallery, The Royal College of Art, Slade School of Art, Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (Germany) and the Architectural Association. 

www.hannahfletcher.com

Savannah Dodd, PhD is an anthropologist and photographer based in Northern Ireland. She founded the Photography Ethics Centre in 2017 with the aim of advancing visual media ethics through education and consulting. She has worked with international clients and audiences from a wide range of sectors including media, academia, and international development.

In 2024, Savannah was awarded the Educator Award by the International Visual Literacy Association. In 2023, Savannah delivered a TEDx talk at the university titled “Changing the world with visual media ethics.” In 2020, her edited volume, Ethics and Integrity in Visual Research Methods, was published by Emerald Publishing Group. She sits on the board of Source Magazine, on the UK committee of the Ethical Journalism Network, and on the EDI Advisory Committee at Photo Museum Ireland. She previously sat on on the ethics panel for the Environmental Photographer of the Year Award and on the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Rural Deliberative Forum.

savannahdodd.com

Registrations close on April 7th
For concessionary tickets, please email us. (sustainabledarkroom@gmail.com)