Lighting Workshop

  The Fox Darkroom Hidden in the old Younghusband Woolstores in Kensington - a wonderful building housing every type of creative activity - you will find The Fox Darkroom run by photographer Tom Goldner. Tom provides short courses for those new to analogue photography, or those with prior experience but seeking a process refresh. Introduction to film cameras, developing your own B&W film, and printing and enlarging - the alchemy of the darkroom - are all covered in Tom's courses. The darkroom and equipment are also available for members and others who are seeking access to a well equipped lab to do their own thing! Tom is a wonderful teacher - enthusiastic, knowledgable, sensitive, patient and able to cater for course members with widely varying capabilities, group sizes are kept small allowing for personal teaching and the combination of shooting in a such a photogenic location and then working through the dark room processes in a such a beautiful surrounding is hard to beat! The physical environment at Fox is very special, but it is surpassed by the warmth and welcome and guidance of Tom Goldner! So arrange a time to visit the Fox Darkroom - make time to slow down and think about your photography - have a play with film and developing your own negatives. Very highly recommended. Bruce E

  The course I did with Tom was incredible. I have so much more of an appreciation for what it takes to create a good photo after spending some time with Tom. The course is great for both novices (like me) or those with a background in photography. The atmosphere is really laid back and the Fox Darkroom is a great environment in which to learn. If you are looking to either fine tune your photographic skills or just try something a little different, I would thoroughly recommend getting in touch with these guys. Tom is clearly an expert in his field and loves what he does. Very easy to learn from and takes the time to make sure you get the most out of your experience. 5 stars!

  I had the pleasure of attending The Fox Darkroom workshop over the weekend, and loved every minute. Tom has created something very special. A little photography haven in what can only be described as an inspiring location – an old wool store building. The location and Tom’s amazing set-up can only put you in good spirits when you take the workshop. Tom is a great guide, and will tailor the course depending on each individual’s goals. The negative making process was fantastic, being able to create something from scratch. The darkroom experience was something foreign to me, having come into photography in the digital age. I think it’s very important for us to go back and learn these techniques to understand how it was done prior to digital photography. And I really appreciate Tom creating workshops like this to preserve the process, and reinvigorate the film process in this modern tech-focussed age. At the end of the workshop I was also able to see some of Tom’s photography work that he had done over in Ghana for the Photo for Freedom project. I was blown away. Amazing work for a meaningful and important cause. I wish The Fox Darkroom all the best, and look forward to doing the printing workshop in the new year. James

  The Fox Darkroom is more than just a space for making photos, it's also a place for making friendships and it provides like-minded people an opportunity to connect. Spend a little time at The Fox and you'll quickly feel like you're a part of something bigger, a community, a home of ideas and a place for those who seek encouragement to pursue what inspires your heart to press that shutter every time a moment passes by. It's a place to feel inspired and it's a place you're missing out on if you haven't yet been.

  Great place run by great people. Great place to learn the skills or just to have access to use the darkroom. Highly recommended 🙂

  I was lucky enough to recently be among the first groups attending the Film Photography and Traditional Printing workshops at The Fox Darkroom. The studio space Tom has built here is crying out to be photographed, yet alone the beautiful surrounds of Kensingtons industrial past. The Wool store buildings in which the studio are set are a treasure trove of urban landscapes, still life studies and edgy portraiture back drops. Tom and his friends at The Fox offer a wealth of creative and technical know how shared through friendly and informative workshops. I would challenge anyone with an interest to spend the afternoon at a printing workshop and not be queuing for darkroom membership by the end of the day. Keep up the great work.

  This is an amazing space with beautiful, well thought out detailing - it feels like you're in a loft apartment in New York. Tom is super lovely and a rad photographer! So glad to be spending my last week in Melbourne at the Fox Darkroom studio.

  I took a friend on a surprise birth trip to the film photography workshop at the Fox Darkroom. We both totally loved it! The studio and surroundings had a beautiful rich aesthetic, as did the rhythm of the workshop as a whole. Very cool delving into the craft of analogue film photography. A highly recommended gift to yourself or a friend!

  Had my fourth Sunday session in the darkroom today. Great place if you're looking for somewhere to print - they'll sell you paper if you need (and you can develop your film as well). Take one of the intro courses and you can be printing your own work 🙂

  As a professional photographer that shoots the majority of my work digital now, I can still remember falling in love with photography in the darkroom many years ago, watching images magically appear in the developer!!! It's something that you have to experience Can't wait to do it again with The Fox Darkroom! Keep me posted!!! Keep up the great work!

  Recently, I was lucky to experience the pleasure of utilizing the beautiful gallery space that is The Fox Gallery for my book launch and picture exhibition. I was very impressed by the professional and friendly service of Tom and his diligent crew. It was obvious to me that their sole objective was the success of my show. They worked tirelessly to ensure everything looked perfect and ran smoothly. Thank you Tom!!!

  So you get given this thing thats basically nothing (ok, its a roll of film). Some cellulose on a strip of plastic. Theres interesting furniture and a really dark room. Somehow though... this dude with an excellent beard calmly and simply explains to you how a camera works. Without your knowing he turns the conversation to why he is (and consequently you are) passionate about photography. Shortly after you're taking photos on a manual camera you couldn't use an hour ago in streets you didn't know existed. Shortly after, that the strip of plastic has turned into something you can look at and make oohh aahh noises at. You even get to pretend you're Walter White. It's awesome, do it.

  I received a membership for The Fox Darkroom as a present and it is the best present ever! Tom and the Fox crew are very welcoming and helpful. It's been great going in to develop film, print photos and have a place to discover and share the magic of film. As well as working on my own prints, it's nice to go visit the gallery and be inspired by other artists and be a part of a bigger community.

  Just had my first of what I'm sure will be many visits to the darkroom and gallery. It was easy to get to and in a stunning location. The 'All I Had I Gave' exhibition was breathtaking and I cannot wait to get my hands on one of those prints. I definitely recommend visiting the darkroom and gallery. Just beautiful.

  Attended the darkroom basics workshop last weekend and I had a blast. Jake is great to learn from as he is passionate about the topic but also very personable and not condescending like many people teaching basics tend to be. Looking forward to attending more workshops.

  Great space, amazing service and attention from staff. Looking forward to the next exhibition.

  Thank you Tom and Co for an awesome afternoon in the darkroom printing course! The knowledge and passion you guys share is super inspiring, and I can't wait to get back in there...

  A beautiful place to learn and build your skill set. You can take part in the workshops or attend the wonderful exhibitions there - a perfect location to get your friends to join you for any of the activities taking place. Tom & the crew are so welcoming and accommodating and you will find that you quickly become part of the Fox Darkroom community that they have built. I promise you will enjoy your time there.