On Friday 20th October, professional photographer Porl Medlock visited Wakefield Girls’ to provide a film photography workshop to our Year 12 A-Level Art students. 

Porl explained to students about his experience as a newspaper photographer for decades using film photography, capturing significant historical events throughout Yorkshire in the 1980s, 90s and 2000s. He outlined the challenges film presents to photographers trying to capture photos in moving subjects, and that the key to good film photography is lots of practice and having the confidence to experiment and try different settings.

The workshop focussed on how a film camera works, the practicalities of how to actually load the film and get it developed. Also, how to take light readings and alter camera settings to suit the environment. 

It was highly informative and interesting to see the techniques he used and we extremely appreciative of Porl for providing this workshop. We look forward to seeing our students’ attempts to recreate his techniques in their own projects over the next coming months. 

Mrs K Varley, Head of Art