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Portrait Stories6 min read

Blast from the Past

Every year, I teach a darkroom class to 8th graders at The Westwood School in Dallas.

Although it is truly a dying art, I think there is still a lot to be learned from the whole development process. You have to work to get a nice image and can’t just shoot 1000 shots and hope to get a good one. While there are many things I love about digital photography, there is just no substitute for that feeling when you watch an image materialize in the developer tray.

We spent the entire day in the darkroom Monday to make sure everyone had their final prints ready to turn in next week and it was one of the most enjoyable days I have had in a long time. Technology is great- sometimes Old School is pretty nice as well!

Written by

Larry Lourcey

Plano-based portrait artist and photographic educator. Larry's work ranges from quiet black-and-white studies to vibrant gallery pieces — and the occasional essay from the studio.

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