NESOP

Night Photography from 1996 /  by Ron Cowie

I scanned some of the color slides I made when I was a first year student at the New England School of Photography. This was for my color projects class with Pam Edwards. The assignment was to make a slide show that is accompanied by music. I used Puccini’s "Vissi d'arte, vissi d’amore" from Tosca, which is beautiful music. I don’t know what the song is about but it is beautiful.

I learn about things by going to the edge of what it is capable of doing. It is the eternal five year-old who broke their toys as a way to play with them. My classmates and I would just go out, exploring the city of Boston, and take pictures as a group. This was my idea of street photography. Shooting 400asa slide film didn’t always lend itself to perfection, but we didn’t know any better, and we were happy!

Looking at images I made about 27 years ago, which was a whole lifetime, reminds me that what I found interesting is what I still find interesting. I like how a camera can bend reality and present things in ways that aren’t accurate representations of what exists. I like the chance and and mystery photography has when I just let the camera do what it does, and see what happens.

The street photography I did at night was probably under the suggestion of Lisa Garner, my girlfriend and future wife. She had some amazing night photography, so maybe I was trying to impress her too.

I attracted to the delightful imperfection in photography. I don’t know if my street photography is going to win any awards, but I had fun making it, and. I learned a thing or two.

Teaching a Tintype Workshop /  by Ron Cowie

Teaching Tintypes.

I was in a darkroom teaching a tintype/wet plate collodion workshop at the New England School of Photography. I’ve been teaching at the NESOP for about twenty years and it never gets old.


Teaching tintype is the epitome of “slow photography” and that is important. Students left with under ten finished plates each and that was a successful weekend. In a fun twist, when wet plate collodion and was the “latest and greatest” technology of the day (1860’s), it was the fastest process being used.

Why teach (or take) this workshop?

  • It’s good to slow down.

  • Learning the history of a medium builds a deeper understanding of its present iteration.

  • The sound of running water in a darkroom is peaceful.

  • It’s fun.

I often think of the classes I teach as “play-dates” for adults. While they can inspire larger bodies of work, most of the time, it’s just a fun weekend of trying something new.

The most successful students are the ones who just have fun splashing around, asking questions, and making stuff for a few days.


I always leave these weekends a little tired but energized. The curiosity of the students is contagious and delightful. While I know more about the mechanics of the process I’m teaching (I hope), I’m still learning how to teach it effectively. That journey never really ends. For that, I’m grateful.

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