Pinhole Photography Day to be marked at Lacock Abbey

Taking place on April 25 and 26, the Wiltshire event will include hands-on family activities and a full-day workshop led by pinhole photography expert Justin Quinnell.

The workshop will take place on the Sunday.

Mr Quinnell said: "This is an opportunity of photographic experimentation in the shadow of the great man himself, to uncover the same excitement as when 187 years ago the first photographic negatives magically appeared."

Lacock Abbey, cared for by the National Trust, is the birthplace of the photographic negative, invented in the 1830s by Henry and Constance Talbot.

Mr Talbot, also a keen botanist, drew inspiration for his photographic experiments from the abbey’s Botanic Garden.

A world-renowned authority on pinhole photography, Mr Quinnell hopes to rekindle the sense of discovery associated with early photography.

He said: "Much of the wonder of photography, and our ability for it to enhance our perception of the world, has been diminished by the pixels and the distraction of the digital screen.

"Throughout these two days we will experience chemical and optical wonder and interact with the ‘hands on’ physical process of traditional photography."

On Saturday, April 25, visitors are invited to the bothy in the Botanic Garden from 10am to 3.30pm for demonstrations and photographic activities.

The drop-in sessions are included with general admission and offer a friendly introduction to alternative and pinhole processes suitable for all ages.

Peter Lower, senior programming and partnership officer at Lacock Abbey, said: "The Botanic Garden is a great setting for learning more about early photographic practices.

"Henry Talbot was using plants in his early experiments, and we’ve recently renovated the former gardener’s bothy into a space for crafts and educational activities.

"It even has a light-proofed room within it for more photo-sensitive activities, which many people who grew up with analogue photography enjoy seeing."

For those wanting a more immersive experience, Mr Quinnell will lead a full-day workshop on Sunday, April 26.

The session will explore techniques such as six-month pinhole exposures, obscura designs, and image-making with turmeric.

Mr Quinnell said: "Each participant will make many images throughout the day, one of which will be uploaded onto the world Pinhole Day gallery.

"They will learn many techniques to last a lifetime."

Tickets for the workshop are priced at £75 and include entry to the abbey grounds, materials, and tuition.

Booking can be made through the National Trust website.