When the Film Photography Project launched its School Camera Donation Program, we had no idea how long the renewed interest in film photography or the willingness of schools and Universities to include film photography in their curriculum would last. As we enter our second decade of supplying refurbished and tested film cameras and gear to academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations, we’d like to celebrate the instructors and students whose passion for film ensures film photography remains a living medium; and, to honor the generosity of the film photography community and our volunteer staff. Without you, none of this would be possible.
With that in mind, we thought we’d share some recent feedback we received from instructors and students (Warning! You may shed a tear or two):
I want to tell you that when we received the packages from the Film Photography Project, my heart stopped. Students were literally in tears at the generosity that you showed us. I had only anticipated getting 5 or so cameras which you delivered way more. My students were so eager to try them out for themselves and get to shooting.
Students have been able to get comfortable with their cameras and grow an attachment to them. Being able to keep their camera all trimester means they don’t have to relearn different models, light meters or odd character traits from camera to camera, this has given them a chance to make even stronger work. I couldn’t be more happy. Thank you so much for your support, it means the world to our growing photo program. Film is still very much alive in our classroom! Below are a few photos but I will try to send more soon! – Cheyenne
Cheyenne Butcher is a Photography Instructor at the Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences. Her students’ range from 14-18 years of age. (Above photos courtesy of Cheyenne Butcher)
I just wanted to send a huge “Thank You!” to the Film Photography Project. Your donation of 11 cameras is going to be such a help to our photo club. I can’t wait to get them in the hands of the students at tomorrow’s meeting. This is test week and in one class I only have one kid not testing so today we took one of the cameras around campus and let him have his first experience shooting film. He loved it! Keep doing what you do!
Sincerely,
Chad Siders
Southeastern High School
Chad Siders is an Instructor at Southeastern High School, Chillicothe, Ohio and spearheads the Southeastern High School Photo Club.
Working with the students at New Hanover has been amazing. I am so grateful to the FPP for providing the tools to make my teaching happen – without your support, I would not be able to teach anywhere close to the scale I am. These are students that would otherwise never have access to a film photography course, and many of the students have expressed their desire to take later classes in photography as a product of the class. The kids are more engaged than I could have expected and working with them has been incredibly valuable. We are printing their photographs for the first time next week and I can’t wait. They have been asking repeatedly to be able to print and I can’t wait for them to see the darkroom magic of seeing their first prints come in in the developer. I attached a few images of student work and the class. More will follow of kids using their cameras! Best, Walker Bankson
Walker Bankson is a professional photographer and visiting artist at New Hanover High School, Durham, North Carolina.
The Film Photography Project provides cameras, lenses and gear to educational organizations and not-for-profits promoting Film Photography. For more information on our program or to donate cameras and gear to the Film Photography Project visit Donate to the FPP.