The Penumbra Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing workshops, education, lectures, and events to the worldwide photographic community. They aim to be a comprehensive resource for photographers of all levels and to promote the impact of photography on culture, history, and the arts.
Discover the history and techniques behind the art of portrait photography in this online workshop. Through discussions, assignments, and readings, you'll delve into the philosophy of portraiture and learn how to capture the essence of your subjects through the lens. Uncover the secrets of this art form and elevate your skills with the guidance of industry experts at Penumbra Foundation.
Next start date:
Thursday, Apr 4th, 6–8pm Eastern Time
Discover the artistry of homemade black-and-white film developers in this immersive online workshop. Uncover the secrets of caffenol, mint, and wine concoctions alongside other household ingredients, as you delve into their transformative effects on negative emulsion. Through hands-on experimentation and expert guidance, unlock new dimensions of creative expression in analog photography, all while fostering a safer and more sustainable practice.
Next start date:
Sunday, Apr 14th, 10am–1pm Eastern Time
Take your organic photography skills to the next level in this advanced course at Penumbra Foundation. Dive into accelerated lumens and learn techniques such as cyanolumens and surface silvering out. Connect with plant material and explore the least toxic ways of working in this four-week journey of artistic exploration.
Next start date:
Monday, Apr 15th, 6–8pm Eastern Time
Learn the innovative Ziatype printing process, a variation on palladium, at the Penumbra Foundation. Discover how to control tone and contrast through sensitizer adjustments and create stable prints with a wide tonal range. Gain a deeper understanding of this versatile technique for producing unique and beautiful images.
Next start date:
Saturday, Apr 20th, 10am–6pm Eastern Time
Learn to effectively communicate the concepts and processes behind your artwork through the power of words. This course at Penumbra Foundation will equip you with the skills to craft a compelling artist statement, ensuring that your work is contextualized and understood by funders, galleries, and the public. Say goodbye to writer's block and share your artistic vision with the world.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 4th, 10am–1pm Eastern Time
Prepare to propel your artistic career forward with our comprehensive workshop at Penumbra Foundation. Over six weeks, master the art of crafting compelling applications for competitions, residencies, and grants. From refining your artist statement to polishing your CV, gain the essential skills to stand out in the competitive arts landscape.
Next start date:
Wednesday, May 8th, 6–8:30pm Eastern Time
Reignite your creative spark and deepen your artistic intentions in this transformative online class at Penumbra Foundation. Through guided meditations, discussions, and exploration of non-traditional mediums, discover new ways to infuse intuition into your practice. Ideal for artists seeking to clarify their vision, overcome creative blocks, or explore innovative approaches to photo-based media.
Next start date:
Saturday, May 18th, 10am–12pm Eastern Time
Refine your photographic practice in a collaborative setting with artist Adam Fuss at Penumbra Foundation. Submit your in-progress project for personalized feedback and join engaging discussions on process and creativity. Elevate your work through constructive critiques and valuable suggestions in this immersive six-session online class.
Next start date:
Sunday, Jun 2nd, 10:30am–12pm Eastern Time
The Penumbra Foundation is a non-profit photographic arts organization whose mission is to bring workshops and greater education, lectures, and events to a diverse and evolving international photographic community. Our scope spans photography from its 19th century invention to the present age.
Penumbra: ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: modern Latin, from Latin paene ‘almost’ + umbra ‘shadow.’
Our goal is to be a comprehensive resource for photographers at any level; artists, students, professionals, historians, researchers, conservationists and curators who want to learn, practice, and research these photographic arts and processes. We also endeavor to continue to publicize the impact photography has had and continues to have on culture, history and the arts.
We want to develop a community-based organization that will make available our resources to the greater photographic community, general public, members, students, educators, artists, photographers, professionals, like-minded organizations and institutions, and to develop more programs that fulfill our mission.
Reviews of Penumbra Foundation
(4.9-star rating across
8 reviews)
Studio Lighting for Wet Plate
Reviewed by John M. on 10/25/2021
Sam Dole helped me complete a three year search for the right combination of studio lighting, he is knowledgeable, articulate and a professional. I would likely take additional courses with him in the future.
Thanks all,
JR Morgan
How to Write an Artist Statement
Reviewed by Linda S. on 9/29/2019
I loved the instructor Liz! Fabulous person!
Five Days of Alternative Process
Reviewed by Baron B on 4/3/2018
I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the Staff there.
Wet Plate with Sam Dole (duplicate)
Reviewed by Baron B on 4/3/2018
I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the Staff there.
Daguerreotype
Reviewed by Baron B on 4/3/2018
I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the Staff there.
Pinhole Workshop for Teens
Reviewed by Colleen H. on 10/11/2023
Plein-Air Photograms and Darkroom Experimentation
Reviewed by Elena B. on 6/18/2022
Digital Negatives and Platinum Palladium Printing
Reviewed by Emi R. on 2/25/2019
Building a Camera Obscura
Reviewed by stephanie W. on 3/21/2017
Chemigram
Anonymous review on 6/5/2016
Pinhole Workshop for Teens
Reviewed by Carly H. on 10/31/2015
Review Summary by CourseHorse
Students who have taken classes at Penumbra Foundation rave about the knowledge and professionalism of the staff and instructors. One student mentioned that Sam Dole helped them in their search for the right combination of studio lighting over a three-year period, and they were impressed with his expertise and professionalism. Another student specifically mentioned their love for instructor Liz. Overall, students seem to consistently express satisfaction with the results they achieve in their classes at Penumbra Foundation and appreciate the high level of professionalism displayed by the staff.
Quotes:
- "Sam Dole helped me complete a three year search for the right combination of studio lighting, he is knowledgeable, articulate and a professional."
- "I loved the instructor Liz! Fabulous person!"
- "I have taken several classes at the Penumbra Foundation and I'm always pleased with the results and the professionalism of the staff there."
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