Lighting Workshop

  I attended the film photography/developing basics and darkroom printing workshops and they were excellent. The groups were small and the instructor (Jake) catered well to the different experience levels in the group and took a genuine interest in each person's work. The 4 hour length of both workshops was ideal - enough time to cover all the material without it being a long day. I left feeling inspired and ready to get back into printing my own photos after not doing it for 12 years. Two Saturdays well spent!

  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

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

  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!!!

  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

  I attended a print making workshop at the Fox Darkroom. It was really excellent, very informative and hands on. I have never worked in a darkroom before, and I absolutely loved the experience, I would recommend to anyone interested in analogue photography. I will definitely be back.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  I am the Cambodian team leader for international workshops. We love the fox darkroom and its people! Love from Siem reap

  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!

  This is my establishment so it may seem slightly bias in me saying this place is AMAZING but hell, I truly believe it is! If you have interest in learning how to take beautiful photos with nice old cameras, producing works of art in the darkroom and or hanging out with some really decent folk come and pay us a visit. Coffee on me.

  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.

  Tom is an excellent teacher and the space/the whole building is just divine! Highly recommend

  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!

  Being in the Fox Darkroom and seeing photos come to life as they go through the printing process is such a surreal experience. Thank you Tom for providing people with a cool space, great workshops and a wonderful photography community. It's so inspirational being surrounded by such creative minds that have extensive knowledge in photography and working with film. Creating photos in the darkroom ignited the child like curiosity in me and I can’t wait to go again and print some more photos. If you love photography, you have to check this place out

  The gallery is both warm inviting and just the right size yto really explore the work on the walls. I make a point of swinging by the gallery every time we are in the neighbourhood.

  I did the printing/developing workshop here and it was so much fun! Tom is a super easy going, lovely guy and a patient teacher. We all lost track of time, it was going so fast - that's how much fun we were having. I definitely recommend this workshop to anyone beginning analogue photography, as this workshop will be priceless in your learning. I cant wait to go back and do the film developing workshop! (p.s this is the backwards order, I recommend taking the film developing workshop first, then develop your prints you made in the printing workshop). I wish I lived in Melbourne to sign up as a member to use this funky darkroom all the time :).