2026 SPE Annual Conference: Catalyst for Exchange
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print this pageAnalog Meets Eco-Tech: Course Design for Sustainable Photography
Jennifer Wilkosz
Friday, March 20 - 9:00AM to 10:00AM
Agusta
This presentation proposes an interdisciplinary, environmentally conscious college-level course: Introduction to Digital and Analog Methods in Eco-Friendly Photography. Designed for students who have completed a foundational course in film or digital photography, this curriculum bridges historical analog techniques with contemporary digital workflows, prioritizing ecological responsibility and artistic exploration.
Students begin with traditional black-and-white photography, substituting toxic developers with homemade Caffenol and eco-fixers. They then transition into digital editing using Lightroom and Photoshop, ultimately producing hybrid works with analog contact print methods, including cyanotype, anthotype, and chlorophyll printing. Each method is introduced with hands-on workshops that include community-building practices, technical skill development, and critical discourse on visual culture and environmental impact.
Course goals extend beyond technical mastery to include transferable competencies such as visual literacy, public speaking, critical thinking, and project planning. Students culminate the semester with a final body of work presented through formal critiques and reflective portfolios, fostering creative agency and professional presentation skills.
A strong emphasis is placed on sustainable materials, studio flexibility, and fiscal responsibility—both for institutions and students. Equipment and materials are selected to ensure long-term usability and accessibility, making this a viable and innovative model for academic institutions seeking to expand or reintegrate analog processes into contemporary photography programs.
This session will benefit educators and curriculum designers in visual arts, especially those invested in sustainable practices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the revitalization of analog photography in higher education.
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Jennifer Wilkosz
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