Step into the roots of photography with this immersive workshop dedicated to one of the most essential and poetic forms of image-making: box camera photography. Entirely analogue and completely independent of electricity, the box camera is both a camera and a darkroom in one. It embodies the simplicity, immediacy, and magic that defined the earliest days of photography, and still holds creative potential today.

Over the course of the workshop, participants will not only learn the fundamentals of this unique process, but will also learn the mechanics, optics, and chemistry that bring this simple but powerful device to life. Participants will shoot and develop their own black-and-white images directly within the box camera. This is instant photography in its most elemental form—each image a one-of-a-kind print made entirely by hand. This type of Photography was practised around Turkey until the late 90s with its highday from the 1910s till the 1960s. Lukas will bring examples of this local history to the workshop.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to build and use your own box camera in various settings, from portraiture to street photography to experimental work. Whether you're an analogue enthusiast, a beginner with a curiosity for handmade techniques, or a photographer seeking a slower, more tactile approach, this workshop offers a grounding in both craft and creativity.

Details

• Duration: 1 day

• Participants: Max. 8 people

• Materials and guidance provided

• No prior experience necessary

Come build, shoot, and connect with the essentials of photography—analogue, immediate, and beautifully imperfect.

About Lukas Birk
Lukas Birk is an Austrian photographer and researcher who has spent the past decade exploring the history and practice of box camera photography. He has published extensively on photographic cultures in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Turkey, and Myanmar, and has developed a specialised camera production initiative with refugee artisans in Austria. His deep knowledge and hands-on approach make this a rare opportunity to learn directly from a leading figure in the field.

www.lukasbirk.com
www.instantboxcamera.com

This event is supported by the Austrian Cultural Forum Istanbul.

📍 FiLBooks, Reşitpaşa, Tuncay Artun Cad. no:91