The Las Fotos Project Nature: Double Exposed
Over the summer of 2011, Las Fotos Project conducted a series of workshops with youth in Girl Scout Troop 3111 focused on reconnecting with nature and exploring their imaginations and creativity through the medium of photography. Each student received an analog camera and one roll of 35mm film, as well as instruction and guidance on how to create photographs using a technique known as double exposure, in which film is exposed through the camera twice, creating unexpected juxtapositions and layered effects. The students photographed the natural world during a hike through Griffith Park, then reloaded the film and took the cameras home to document their friends, family, and community members. The resulting images depict loved ones intertwined with flowers, trees, and other natural forms. Students then used their double exposed photographs as inspiration during a Las Fotos Project Creative Writing Workshop and created haikus, acrostic poems, and imaginative titles for each of their favorite images. Nature: Double Exposed is a culmination of the girls’ photographs and self-expressive words.
Sophia Patino
My name is Sophia Patino and I am a Girl Scout in Troop 3111. I am an 8th grader and participated in a workshop with Las Fotos Project. They taught me how to use a 35 mm film camera, which was actually pretty cool, because I had never used one before. Our first adventure was at the Griffith Park Observatory. We took a hike and snapped photos of the great scenery. I really enjoyed the activity because I love being outdoors and that day we learned about double-exposure, which was interesting because I didn’t know it was possible to combine two photos together. When we got our photos back it was amazing to see how good of a job I did taking my photos. Thank you Las Fotos Project for teaching me so much! I really enjoyed everything you taught me!
Miranda Patino
My name is Miranda Patino and I am a freshman in High School. I have to say that being part of the Las Fotos Project was so fun. One thing I noticed about using a 35 mm film camera was that it took better photos than my digital camera. When I got my pictures back, I was surprised how beautiful my photos were just by using a 35mm camera. After attending the Las Fotos workshops, I realized that I love photography and that I would like my own 35 mm camera for Christmas. Thank you Las Fotos Project for showing me all the things I can do with film cameras!
To learn more about the Las Fotos Project. Check it out here.
