Oriel Colwyn in partnership with Conwy Youth Service, recently offered young people the opportunity to learn about the history of Conwy, while capturing their journey through photography.
The week-long workshops empowered the group to investigate the photographic records held within the Conwy Archive Service and follow in the footsteps of local press photographer Walter Harris.
Unknown Man standing outside grocer A. I. Williams' Corner Shop at junction of High Street and Lancaster Square, Conwy. [c. 1901-1902]
Workshop photo 2018
Breaking away from today’s fast paced digital world the group learnt to use traditional photography skills. Using 35mm film cameras loaded with black and white film they explored Conwy in response to the historical archives.
New skills absorbed saw the group then process and develop their own films in Oriel Colwyn’s darkroom, they continued on to learn how to produce Silver Gelatin prints in the darkroom using these new negatives.
PRINCESS CHRISTINE RIVER CRUISER, CONWY at the slipway with 2 crew and passengers. [c.1950]
Workshop photo 2018
Through the workshops all the young people worked towards and gained their AGORED qualification in photography.
“This project was absolutely great. It was really interesting. Always learning new things especially the darkroom. We all had a great time. It was a great experience to learn new things.”
- Harley
“This project was incredibly interesting. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. My favourite bit was the darkroom and printing the negatives. It was an interesting experience and I can’t wait for the next project like this!”
- Rhianno
“I feel I have gained a lot more confidence in working with others and have gained more friends. By participating in this project it has inspired me to buy my own camera and take more alluring photos. This project was an absolute pleasure to be a part of. Paul and Rachel were great teachers and I hope there will be more projects like this in years to come.”
- George
"I enjoyed the photography course as I loved going around all the different well-known and unknown places of Colwyn Bay and Conwy taking photos of everything we wanted. I also enjoyed using the dark room because it was something none of us had tried before and it was very interesting to try and work in the dark. This photography course helped me gain friends who you wouldn’t find in everyday life, but us as a group we created a strong bond between each of us and worked together as a team and helped each other along the way."
- Daisy
Conwy Railway Station - The station was opened May 1st 1848 and was closed as part of the Beeching cuts on Feb 13th 1966. It re-opened June 29th 1987. [1970 April]
Workshop photo 2018
Funded through the Culture Centre Activity Programme, The Arts Council of Wales, Conwy County Borough Council, Heritage Lottery Fund; Welsh Government; Rural Community Development Fund and Gwynt y Môr in partnership with Conwy Arts Trust.