Alternative
Photography Courses
in Melbourne
At Kindred Cameras, we love sharing the magic of photography with other curious minds.
Run by award winning artist and educator Chris Bowes, our workshops focus on hands-on, practical knowledge in a fun and casual environment.
Whether you want to learn how to make a unique artwork using a 200 year old photographic technique, or the best camera settings to use on your next holiday overseas, there isn’t much Chris hasn’t done in his 20 years as a photographer!
CUT
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CREATE
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PEEL
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EXPOSE
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WASH
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COMPOSE
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BRUSH
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CUT 〰️ CREATE 〰️ PEEL 〰️ EXPOSE 〰️ WASH 〰️ COMPOSE 〰️ BRUSH 〰️
Polaroid
Emulsion Lift
Workshop
In this workshop you’ll transform some of your own photos using a 50 year old experimental photographic technique.
Officially known as the polaroid-transfer-emulsion-lift, or more informally the polaroid transfer or polaroid lift, this alternative take on an instant photography classic involves boiling, peeling and separating polaroid prints to create unique, one-off artworks.
Cyanotype
Print
Workshop
In this workshop you’ll transform a photo of your choosing into a unique, handmade photographic print using the almost 200 year old cyanotype technique.
See a favourite photo as you’ve never seen it before, get crafty while decorating the borders, and explore other printing techniques like the photogram during this hands-on experience.
Cyanotype
Tote Bag
Workshop
In this workshop you’ll design your very own tote bag (and a couple of prints too!) using an almost 200 year old photographic technique called the cyanotype.
You’ll decorate your bag by transforming everyday objects, like leaves, feathers and lace, into unique artworks using the photogram technique - one of the earliest forms of photography.
Tailored
Training
If you’re wanting to learn more about photography or videography, there is no better way to do it than through our tailored training sessions.
From one-on-one tutoring, to corporate consultations, a tailored training session will target the specific skills you want to learn and give you the confidence to take your own amazing images.
Free
Tutorials
Want to learn photography but also pay your rent? Not based in Melbourne but love a photographic process you’ve seen us do online?
One of our key aims is to reduce gatekeeping and share as much knowledge as possible with the creative community. We’ve created some free tutorials to help with this, accessible for all.
Meet your teacher
Chris is a photographer, artist and educator who has been taking photos for almost 20 years. He bought his first camera to photograph his pet fish as a teenager, and in his early twenties, left behind aspirations of being an investment banker to pursue his real passion - photography.
Chris’ work is held in numerous public collections, including LACMA (Los Angeles Country Museum of Art), Macquarie Bank, and the Muswellbrook Regional Art Centre. He has won several awards, most recently the 2023 Mullins Conceptual Photography Prize, and exhibits regularly across Australia.
Chris splits his time between teaching and taking photos. Outside of teaching at Kindred Cameras, Chris lectures at RMIT in the subjects ‘Photography 101’ and ‘Alternative Photographic Processes’. He also works in the technically demanding field of artwork documentation, where he translates mediums like paintings and sculptures into compelling photographic images.
Chris is experienced with all major camera brands, and there aren’t to many questions he hasn’t been asked. He loves the excitement that comes from students discovering their own talent, and feels lucky that he gets to encourage people to explore their creativity everyday.
He also feels awkward writing about himself in the third person.
FAQ
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Most of our studio space is accessible being located on the ground floor with street access. While we don’t have accessible toilets onsite, the rest of the space is wheelchair friendly, and accessible toilets can be found nearby in the attached shopping centre.
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Our workshops are great for those young and old! With that in mind, alternative processes can be fiddly and frustrating at times, and require a bit of patience and dexterity. We’d recommend ages 12 and up, but give us a bell if you’d like to chat about it.
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We keep classes fun and casual. While we cover any relevant theoretical knowledge so you can continue the processes at home, we try and focus on making things, and feel practical experience is the best teacher!
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Right on our doorstep is The District Docklands shopping precinct, with a heap of places to eat and drink.
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If you buy a gift card, the receiver will be able to use it during the payment section of a class booking. Give us a bell if there is any trouble.
