Community Darkroom Youth Programs

Studio 678 Photo Club

Since 1999, Studio 678 is a 24 week after-school photography program for 30 middle school students from Wilson Foundation Academy. In 100 hours of instruction they learn to use a professional film camera, go on field trips to take pictures, make their own B&W prints in the darkroom, mat and frame their work to exhibit and create a 160 page book of photographs and writing.

Make a contribution to the photo program and receive a copy of this year's book, "Life Through the Lens." Suggested min donation $20. Checks to "Community Darkroom" can also be sent to 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester NY 14607. Let us know whether to ship your book.

Comments from students:

"My eye can be its own camera."

"I am more creative than I thought and more confident too."

"I learned the way of art."

"I can get fired up with friendly challenges."

Urban Youth Programs at the Community Darkroom

The Center provides free arts programs to encourage personal creativity, connect young people to our community, and showcase the positive accomplishments of our youth. Our primary demographic is inner-city children from low to modest income families ranging in age from 10 - 17 years. Our participants are mostly from the southwest and northeast neighborhoods of the City of Rochester, and reflect that region's demographic (approximately 80% African-American, 15% Latino, 5% other). Many of our students benefit greatly from a hands-on visual approach to learning.

Most city middle school students do not have access to a photography program at their school. Community Darkroom offers students an opportunity they would otherwise not have.

Our photography programs instill the confidence, discipline and critical thinking necessary for future success in school and the workplace while teaching practical skills and nurturing self-expression. Our program goals are to:

• develop technical and creative skills in the arts
• foster greater awareness of cultural, historical, social, educational, and business resources in the community through field trips
• encourage team work skills through the completion of projects
• apply and integrate academic subjects in the artistic field
• provide mentoring relationships with adults
• increase self-discipline, self-awareness, and self-confidence through accomplishment in the arts

The curriculum includes elements of composition, how to use a professional 35mm camera, field trips to community sites to take pictures, taking the cameras home to photograph friends and family, and taking portraits in the lighting studio.

The students then make 8X10 black and white prints at Community Darkroom, write poetry or stories to accompany their images, create special projects or a book that incorporates their writing and photography, and produce a slide show of the photographs combined with music and spoken word.

The programs conclude with a public showing of their finished work in the form of a matted and framed exhibition and/or as a multimedia presentation.

More than 3500 student program hours are provided each year with the help of teachers, volunteers, parents and students.

Photo Express

Begun in 1997, this program provides an 11 session photography program to 30 middle school students.

"Community Darkroom continues providing experiences that make a diference in our children’s lives. The staff and volunteers who participated with our young peple provided avenues, through the lens of a camera, to see and appreciate the community in which they live. It became quickly obvious that both children and volunteers made connections and formed friendships throughout our five week program" - Director, summer program.

Comments from students:

"I learned that I try to think beyond what I see when I take a picture."

"I learned how to express my feelings when I am mad."

"You made me feel that being a photographer is fun. Thank you for letting me find out how it is, to be what you are."

"I learned the words and it made me feel like a paparazzi."

Photo Galleries

View our galleries of young photographers' work!