the art of film soup, light leaks + seeing practice workshop
April 19th, 2026
3-6:30pm
Ojai California
so, what is film soup?
Film soup is a technique where one submerges their completed roll of 35mm film into some sort of potion for X amount of time, with the desire to create an unknown and generally, colorful completed image. The concoction and amount of time impact the effect, but there is also a surrendering to the unknown that this process requires.Think of it as the OG vintage filter.
and what about light leaks?
Light leaks are when you intentionally open the back of the camera to expose the film to light prior to completing a roll of film. You have control over how much leakage you want to paint across your roll by how long you open the back, which images it paints and how much, is a gift of chance.
what is seeing practice?
we will go on a group nature walk where you will practice capturing images on your camera you are excited about as i guide you to practice the art of seeing. what do you see and how could you tilt your perspective, just an inch? this is a time to commune with nature and experiment with how you see her. play! get on your knees! get close! get weird! notice what you notice and let it pull you closer.
these are the images we will later soup :3
Below are examples of various film soup soaks and light leak painting
the workshop
Join us for a DIY photo course along the gushing riverbanks of the Ojai riverbottom, on April 11th 3-6:30pm where I will be teaching some of the techniques that helped sculpt my style as a photographer.Together we will practice the analog technique of film soup and intentional light leaks as well as the sacred practice of seeing. Class will be approximately 4 hours
*This is a great workshop for both the well-versed photographers and those new to the craft.
investment ~
$122/ person
the course will include-
★ a quick overview of analog photography basics + how to successfully load and unload film
★ there will be portion of the class dedicated to seeing practice. this is where we will shoot your rolls of film
★ feedback and instruction on framing, learning the balance of visioning an image beforehand and bringing it to life
★ intentional in-camera light leak tutorial
★ in person film soup potions bar and how-to
★ small finger snacks
what to bring ~
★ those attending will need to bring their own 35mm ANALOG camera (trust me, you don’t want me to teach you how to use digital cameras!) Please bring a fully manual analog camera if ya have it, the semi autos are harder to light leak with, but not impossible.
★2 rolls of 35mm film
★ a notebook and your favorite pens or markers
★please bring whatever extra sustenance you need to stay feeling energized
★a mason jar with a lid for each roll of film you bring
will you be there?
I will send a venmo or zelle request for payment to hold your spot, which I request you pay within 24 hours. From there a email detailing further instructions will be sent your way.