There are 2 types of black in photographs. The pigment, such as tires, black cars, burned wood, etc. Then there is the black that is caused by there being no light. It was the second type of black this photography workshop explored.

Instructor Dick Garvey explained to the students how to use absence of light to give depth, texture, form. How to cause wonder. Why this "negative space" can be a positive in our endless quest to mess with people's minds.

Karla Locke,That Photo Shoppe of Anacortes, and instructor, Photographer, Dick Garvey chose to hold this workshop at the Northern State Hospital in Sedro Woolley in August. The location was chosen for it's history, run down buildings, and reputation among other photographers. What was unexpected was the 'intensity' of the location and how it would affect the participants.

Imaginations ran wild as everyone walked the grounds. The eeriness of the history and what might have happened there years ago added to the photographs captured. The student's photographs portrayed a mix of emotion and history. Some photographs revealed the loneliness, the desolation, and the despair. Yet some found beauty amongst all of it.

Most students found this workshop very challenging. Not only in the subject matter, but in the location. Emotions can usually play a large part of photography. As a workshop coordinator, this was the first workshop where the 'location' created such an intense feeling amongst everyone.

A fun and informative way to learn more about photography is to join a local Camera Club. Almost every area has one, or more.

Why would a photographer want to use a photo lab instead of printing at home, or use one of the those “Mega-Stores?”