CEPA’s photography classes and workshops cover a variety of subjects for students of all ages and skill levels, including film photography, digital photography, darkroom, photoshop, studio lighting, and more.
Photography Classes & Workshops
Due to COVID-19, Big Orbit Project Space is temporarily closed to the public.
As of August 8, 2020, CEPA Gallery (including the FLUX Gallery, the darkroom, and the digital photo lab) has reopened with restrictions.
In order to continue to serve our members and the public while adhering to social distancing and other safety guidelines during these unprecedented times, all other activities are currently online only.
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Intro to Large Format Photography
$120.00 – $150.00Price range: $120.00 through $150.00A 1-Day Class
Saturday, February 21st
12:00pm–3:30pm
Ages 16+A 1-Day Photography Class for Ages 16+
Get started with large-format photography using paper negatives, strobes and natural light.
This class will teach the basics of Large Format – how to load a film holder, how to use a large format camera, how to read a light meter, along with the basics of wet darkroom work. Paper negatives offer an affordable way to get started with large format and are much easier to work with as you can work under normal darkroom safelights.
Practice taking pictures with a 4×5 and 8×10 camera, using photo paper – which has a similar speed and appearance of 19th Cent. processes – offering participants the opportunity to practice natural light portraiture in much the same way it was done 100 years ago.
Very Limited Seats Available. All Materials Included.
Location
CEPA Education Center
Date & Time
Saturday, February 21st
12:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m.Join CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »Check out the description below to learn more about the teaching artist for this workshop.
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Intro to Digital Negatives and Cyanotype
$100.00 – $125.00Price range: $100.00 through $125.00A 1-Day Class
Saturday, March 14th
12:00pm–3:30pm
Ages 16+A Photography Class for Ages 16+
This class is an introduction to alternative process photography. Alternative or non-silver photography offers both digital and analog photographers the ability to make unique, hand made prints using traditional methods without the need for a darkroom.
In this hybrid photography class, students will learn how to correctly set up and print a digital negative in photoshop, practice the technique for coating water color paper with light sensitive emulsion, and print their images using UV light.
Cyanotype is simple, affordable and non-toxic, serving as a cheap gateway to more advanced non-silver processes such as Platinum Palladium, Calotype, Van Dyke, and many other variations that use a contact print and UV light.
The entire process is more accessible than traditional darkroom photography and can be easily replicated at home or in a classroom.
Supplies are included. Students only need a digital image.
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
Workshop Location
CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
Saturday, March 14th
12:00pm–3:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
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Platinum Palladium Printing
$130.00 – $155.00Price range: $130.00 through $155.00A 1-Day Class
Saturday, March 28th
12:00pm–3:30pm
Ages 16+A Photography Class for Ages 16+
Platinum Palladium was a favorite of early Pictorial photographers, and is still one of most highly regarded fine art printing techniques for it’s delicate and wide tonal range, abilty to control contrast and warmth, and for it’s archival properties. Platinum prints are considered to be the most archival and durable of all traditional printing techniques, having been time tested, the chemistry is extremely stable and will last as long as the paper it’s printed on – for 100’s and 100’s of years.
As Platinum Palladium is a more expensive and advanced process we recommend starting with the Intro to Digital Negatives and Cyanotype class if you’re new to Alt Process photography. This is a hybrid digital/analog class and will briefly touch on many of the same steps as the Intro class, but go much more indepth for considerations specific to Platinum – controlling contrast/warmth via drop count, paper preparation and humidification, and more.
You do not need a darkroom, the entire process can be replicated at home or in a classroom.
Supplies are included. Students only need a digital image.
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
Workshop Location
CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
Saturday, March 28th
12:00pm–3:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
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Darkroom I
$65.00 – $75.00Price range: $65.00 through $75.00A 1-Day Class
Friday, April 10th
6:00pm – 8:30pm
Ages 16+A Photography Class for Ages 16+
Darkroom I serves as an introduction to the basics of analog photography. Students will learn proper techniques for loading and exposing film, 35mm camera controls/technique, developing B/W film in the darkroom using a daylight tank. As any seasoned analog photographer knows, there are many easily avoidable ways to ruin your film. This course is a great way to avoid a lot of those beginner mistakes helping you get started in the darkroom quicker and easier.
Students will leave the class with sheet of negatives, as well as an understanding of exposure and basic photo chemistry. Get 15% off if ordered alongside Darkroom II.
Supplies are included. Students are welcome to bring their own 35mm cameras to the class. CEPA has a limited number of 35mm cameras available to rent.
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions about your camera or to arrange a camera rental.
Workshop Location
CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
Friday, April 10th
6:00pm – 8:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Photo Walk at Buffalo City Hall
$20.00 – $30.00Price range: $20.00 through $30.00Friday, April 17th
1:00pm– 2:30pm
Ages 13+Join CEPA and Explore Buffalo for a guided photo walk through Buffalo City Hall. Led by a knowledgeable Explore Buffalo City Hall expert, this immersive experience will take participants through some of the building’s most notable spaces, including the lobby, the Common Council Chambers, the Observation Deck, and more. Along the way, photographers will have the opportunity to capture City Hall’s striking Art Deco details, architectural craftsmanship, and unique perspectives, while also learning about the history, symbolism, and civic significance of each space. This walk offers a perfect blend of visual exploration and historical insight for photographers of all skill levels.
Location
Buffalo City Hall
Date & Time
Friday April 17th
1:00pm – 2:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Darkroom II
$85.00 – $100.00Price range: $85.00 through $100.00A 1-Day Class
Saturday, April 18th
12:00pm–4:00pm
Ages 16+A Photography Class for Ages 16+
Darkroom II covers all the basics of enlarging and printing black and white film in the darkroom. Students will learn how make a contact sheet, evaluate their negatives, use an enlarger, control print contrast, archival processing/washing, as well as creative techniques for dodging and burning. Your first steps in the 100 year tradition of darkroom printing!
Class includes 3 additional hours of Lab time to practice further.
Get 15% off Darkroom I if ordered together.
Supplies are included. Students need to bring their own negatives or take Darkroom I.
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
Workshop Location
CEPA Learning Center
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
Saturday, April 18th
12:00pm–4:00pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Springtime Photo Walk at the Martin House Gardens
$20.00 – $30.00Price range: $20.00 through $30.00Friday, April 24th
6:00pm– 8:30pm
Ages 13+Just in time for the Cherry Blossom festival on April 25th, join CEPA for a guided photo walk through the Frank Lloyd Wright Darwin Martin House Gardens and then continuing through Delaware Park. Connect with other photographers, learn about design and layout of the Martin House Garden – historically recreated today, and capture a Buffalo icon in full bloom!
In the event of inclement weather, participants will be able to photograph the interior of the Martin House and conservatory.
Martin House Interior Photography Tours will again be offered through CEPA later in the year.
Location
Darwin Martin House
Date & Time
Friday April 24th
6:00pm – 8:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Darkroom III – Darkroom Playground
$85.00 – $100.00Price range: $85.00 through $100.00A 2-Day Workshop
Thursday, April 30th and May 7th, 2026
6:00pm – 8:30pm
16+A 2-Day Photography Class for Ages 16+
An advanced darkroom class is designed for those who know black and white darkroom printing basics but want to take their knowledge further. This class will include tools and techniques for making good prints better using contrast control and dodging and burning as well as playful techniques such as selective development, solarizing, paper negatives, and much more. Bring a supply of black and white photo paper and negatives to each class.
Supplies Included. Students only need to bring a set of negatives to each class.
Workshop Location
CEPA Gallery Learning Center
Limited Availability
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
Date & Time
Thursday, April 30th and May 7th, 2026
6:00pm – 8:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Photo Walk at Richardson Olmsted Campus
$40.00 – $60.00Price range: $40.00 through $60.00Saturday, May 9th
12:30pm – 3:30pm
Ages 16+Join CEPA for a photo walk at the Richardson Olmsted Campus!
This is a unique opportunity to explore and document the historic buildings of the Richardson Olmsted Campus before redevelopment plans commence.
The Richardson Olmsted Campus in Buffalo, New York, United States, is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. The site was designed by the American architect Henry Hobson Richardson in concert with the famed landscape team of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux in the late 1800s, incorporating a system of treatment for people with mental illness developed by Dr. Thomas Story Kirkbride known as the Kirkbride Plan.
Over the years, as mental health treatment changed and resources were diverted, the buildings and grounds slowly deteriorated. By 1974, the last patients were removed from the historic wards. On June 24, 1986, the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane was added to the National Historic Landmark registry. In 2006, the Richardson Center Corporation was formed to restore the buildings.
Today, the Richardson Olmsted Campus is being converted, beginning with the now open Hotel Richardson within the Towers Building and two flanking buildings (about one-third of the Campus).
Future plans for the site include the construction of a new museum in Buffalo’s cultural corridor, known as the Lipsey Architecture Center Buffalo. The museum will focus on the city’s rich architectural history and collection of now-preserved buildings.
Please call or email info@cepagallery.org if you have questions.
Location
Richardson Olmsted Campus
Limited Availability
This class is limited to 14 participants. No more than 2 orders per customer.
Dates & Times
Saturday, May 9th
12:30pm – 3:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Photo Walk at Old Fort Niagara
$22.00 – $32.00Price range: $22.00 through $32.00Friday, May 30th
11:00am– 1:30pm
Ages 13+Join CEPA for a guided photo walk at Old Fort Niagara. Connect with fellow creatives while capturing this historic landmark, and learn about the fort’s rich past from a historically accurate soldier.
Location
Old Fort Niagara
Date & Time
Saturday, May 30th
11:00am – 1:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership » -
Learn Your Digital Camera
$90.00 – $120.00Price range: $90.00 through $120.00A 1-Day Class
Saturday, June 6th
12:30pm– 3:30pm
Ages 13+A 1-Day Photography Class for Ages 13+
Designed specifically for beginner photographers, this course will walk you through the essentials of how to use your digital mirrorless/SLR camera and all the key functions. Take a deep dive and become more comfortable with your camera, perfect for someone who has recently acquired a camera but hasn’t learned it inside and out yet.
You will learn photography tips about everything from shutter speed to aperture, depth of field to ISO. You will get a primer on how to compensate for bad lighting and how to compose your shot for maximum effect and better photos. By the end of the course, you‚ will be ready to take your photography skills to the next level and continue your education with a more advanced photography course.
This class will help you:
- Learn the most essential functions of your camera
- Gain confidence in putting new features into action
- Understand basic photographic terminology including the rule of thirds and the exposure triangle
- Get a solid understanding of lighting and composition techniques
- Figure out how to position yourself and your subject for optimal results
- Learn to take great photos with the camera you have without extra gear.
Location
CEPA Learning Center
Date & Time
Saturday June 6th
12:30pm – 3:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »Check out the description below to learn more about the teaching artist for this workshop.
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Studio Lighting
$100.00 – $120.00Price range: $100.00 through $120.00A 1-Day Class
Saturday, June 13th
12:30pm–3:30pm
Ages 16+A 1-Day Photography Class for Ages 16+
If you’re new to studio lighting, it is easy to get intimidated by the amount of stuff you have to learn. In this hands-on class, you’ll start to learn the complexities of controlling light in a controlled space. CEPA will provide studio space and equipment, introducing you to some of the most basic studio lighting equipment and terms you will need to navigate a photography studio.
A model will be on site for hands on experience working in a real studio setting.
Class is taught by one of CEPA’s veteran instructors – Piotr Meszynski (see more about Peter below). By the end of the lab session, you’ll have the skills to tackle any type of indoor shoot, whether it’s in a huge warehouse or your spare bedroom.
In this class you will learn how to:
· Set your ISO, shutter speed and aperture.
· Understand depth of field and shooting groups.
· Use all sorts of flashes, including strobes and hot shoe flashes, as well as modifiers.
· Build your studio and buy the right gear for the right price.Location
CEPA Education Center
Date & Time
Saturday, June 13th
12:30pm–3:30pmJoin CEPA Today and Save!
Membership starts as low as $40/year for individuals—and even lower for students at only $25/year!
Learn about CEPA Membership »Check out the description below to learn more about the teaching artist for this workshop.
Basic Tutorials
CEPA is now offering two hour tutorials covering basic and commonly requested topics. These are introductory lessons, designed to get you started on your journey with photography quickly or to help refresh those looking to get back into it.
For more in depth instruction, see our workshops above or call to arrange a one on one lesson.
Tutorials are by Appointment Only. Once you place your order, someone will reach out within a few days to schedule your lesson. You can also email nate@cepagallery.org or call 716-856-2717 to arrange an appointment.
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Intro to Photography and Image Control – Tutorial
$100.00Basic Exposure and Image Control
Learn about the basics of Photography! This one hour tutorial covers the fundamentals of exposure and image control through Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed, as well as basic camera control for either digital or film.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic B/W Film Development – Tutorial
$120.00Basic B/W Film Development
New to the darkroom? This roughly two hour tutorial covers the basic process for loading, exposing, developing and processing your film by hand. Learn about film exposure, chemistry, how to load a daylight tank, as well as some tips and tricks to avoid common beginner mistakes. Includes a roll of 35mm film to practice.
Recommended to take prior to Basic Darkroom Printing. Receive a 15% discount when ordering both.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic Darkroom Printing – Tutorial
$150.00Basic Darkroom Printing
New to the darkroom? This tutorial covers the basic process for enlarging film in the darkroom, including how to use an enlarger, control contrast and exposure, archivally process and wash prints, dodging and burning, plus other techniques to get you up and running in the darkroom quickly. Students need a developed roll of B/W film, other materials provided. Includes 1 hour of instruction and 3 hours of lab time to get you started.
This tutorial is recommended to follow B/W Film Development. Receive a 15% discount if purchasing both.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic Digital Workflow in Lightroom – Tutorial
$120.00Basic Digital Workflow in Lightroom
This two hour tutorial covers a basic workflow in Lightroom. Learn about the RAW file format, as well as how to import, organize, edit and export your digital images.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Basic Digital Printing – Tutorial
$100.00Basic Digital Printing
Learn how to print your digital images! This tutorial covers resolution, cropping/resizing for print, as well as color profiles and proofing.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
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Intro to Alt Process – Tutorial
$150.00Intro to Alternative Process
New to alternative process photography? Alternative or non-silver photography offers both digital and analog photographers the ability to make unique, hand made prints using traditional methods without the need for a darkroom.
Cyanotype is simple, affordable and non-toxic, serving as a cheap gateway to more advanced non-silver processes such as Platinum Palladium, Calotype, Van Dyke, and many other variations that use a contact print and UV light.
Learn how to correctly set up and print a digital negative in photoshop, practice the technique for coating water color paper with light sensitive emulsion, and print an image using UV light.
Once your order is placed, CEPA will reach out within a few days to schedule a time.
Youth Summer Classes
CEPA summer art programs are a blast! Students learn the art and science behind photography, experimenting in both the darkroom and computer lab.There are classes for 8-12 year olds as well as teenagers and they run for a full week, half day. There is something for everyone, beginners as well as advanced.
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All Things Photography – Summer 2026
$225.00A Week-long Summer Class
July 6–10 @ 9:00am–12:30pm
Ages 8 to 12This class is jam-packed with all sorts of fun photo activities, including darkroom, digital, and experimental photography. There’s something for everyone, with many opportunities for students to get hands-on with photography.
Cameras are available for use, or students are welcome to use their own.
For ages 8-12
Workshop Location
CEPA Gallery Learning Center
Limited Availability
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
July 6-10, 9:00am-12:30pm
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Zines for Teens – Summer 2026
$225.00A Week-long Summer Class
July 13-17, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Ages 13 to 17In this class, loosely inspired by the experimental New Vision photography movement, students will practice a number of different hands-on techniques. Students will experiment with a range of different photographic techniques each day, collaging the results into a Zine (a short, homemade magazine), to share and exchange with other students in the class.
Students will have the opportunity to work with Digital Photography, Photograms, Polaroid Transfers, Cyanotype, Collage and more!
All materials included. Students are welcome to bring their own cameras if they have one or will be provided with CEPA cameras to borrow. Each student will leave class with a handful of photo prints, negatives, and a completed Zine.
For ages 13-17
Workshop Location
CEPA Gallery Education Center
Limited Availability
This workshop is limited to 8 participants.
Dates & Times
July 13-17, 9:00am-12:30pm
Don’t see what you’re looking for?
We can create a custom class for four or more people, and we also offer one-to-one tutoring. To discuss, contact Nate Ely, our Education Director:
- By e-mail at nate@cepagallery.org
- By phone at (716) 856-2717
Darron Whitsett
Featured CEPA Graduate
A former student of one of CEPA’s many art programs in schools, Darron Whitsett participated in a photojournalism program where students created a newspaper from the ground up. He later joined ArtWorks!, one of CEPA’s after school programs. During the year-long advanced photography course, students worked with all of CEPA’s artists in residence—learning and working in their style, exhibiting their work throughout Buffalo, and producing a personal catalogue at the end of the program.
“CEPA’s art programs helped shape my life in so many positive ways. The things I learned then are the foundation of what I do today. They have afforded me the chance to travel and be creative, a dream I have had since I was a child . . . a dream that CEPA’s program gave me a framework for. For that I will be forever grateful.”
Darron is a professional photographer, designer, and artist. Learn more about him at darronlw.daportfolio.com.