The Photographer's Eye: Analogue Photography

This five-day analogue photography course offers a hands-on introduction to the art of film photography. Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, the course covers the fundamentals of shooting with manual film cameras, understanding exposure, composition and the unique characteristics of film photography. Participants will spend time in the lighting studio and in the field capturing images and, in the darkroom, developing their own black-and-white prints, gaining practical experience with every step of the analogue process. This course places emphasis on creativity as well as developing technical skills and a deeper appreciation for the slow, deliberate nature of film photography. By the end of the course, students will have a portfolio of analogue black-and- white prints.

* Photography courses may be held in first floor studios without lift access.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students from ages 15 years and over. 

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below. 

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

• Camera: 35mm analogue Single Lens Reflex, with manual settings. A camera can be loaned by the NAS Photomedia Department
• 4 rolls of film: Ilford HP5 Plus 400 ISO Black and White film
• 1 packet of 25 sheets of photographic printing paper: Ilford Multigrade RC Deluxe Paper, size 8 x 10"
• A cloth tea towel, gloves, apron
• Masking tape
• Scissors
• Notebook

Covered footwear is essential in all studio spaces on campus.

Dr David Manley is a Sydney based artist educator. He is a lecturer in Photomedia at the National Art School and holds a PhD in Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts by Research from the University of New South Wales Art and Design. His work is concerned with the interplay between architecture, the image and human psychology. He was a winner of the Head On Portrait Prize and a four-time finalist in the Bowness Photography Prize. He was represented in two exhibitions at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum in Sydney in 2025.