Ffotogallery

I’ll put it right out there, so please excuse me for being blunt. Ffotogallery itself is not worth the train journey from Cardiff.
That said, as part of a day out in Penarth it paves the way for an interesting half hour. The photos chosen are always tuned in with contemporary cultural discussions and provide and extra level of intrigue as they often verge on the controversial.
When I visited, gendered issues of body image were discussed through a series depicting an individual’s experimentation with different apparel; other pictures interrogated how skin colour influences perceptions by devoting a whole wall to portraits of albinos with an African origin; another featured photographer explored how we use animal products such as fur to present an image of ourselves as masters of the world.
Anyone who has been to London’s National Portrait Gallery will know the exciting part photographs play in thematic discussions of beauty. What Ffotogallery adds to this, I feel, is an intrinsic concern with the anonymous, and the stories that can be told through one image alone. It is nothing short of remarkable that, in such a small space, the gallery can pack such a variety of themes. Ffotogallery will certainly keen your mind occupied for longer than your body.
URBAN CHALLENGE: Loudly compare any work of photography here with last year’s holiday snaps

My generous manager at my previous job enrolled my colleague and me into Ffotogallery’s «Introduction to Digital Photography» course, so we would (hopefully) develop the skills necessary to shoot portraits for our company magazine.
Our instructor, Faye, was the quirky type who was both exceptionally knowledgeable and a pleasure to listen to. I discovered not only how my camera operates, but how to put that knowledge into practice, as each week we were tasked with an assignment that allowed us to flex our film-​shooting muscles.
I took a series of photographs for my project «Cardiff Eccentrics», and Faye’s encouragement and praise after seeing my snaps made me feel like I was more Diane Arbus than, well, me — an amateur with paltry skills, at best.
A friend of mine took the Ftotogallery course «Introduction to Black and White Photography» where you develop film in an actual darkroom, so I think that’s one I’m definitely trying next; that, and maybe, «Introduction to Portrait Photography».

Ffotogallery’s base at Chapter Arts Centre is where their teaching activities take place, including both photography day workshops and longer evening courses, all taught on the ground floor.
When I first got an SLR, I embarked on a Ffotogallery ‘Introduction to Black & White Photography’ 10-​week course, which balanced both the theoretical and practical sides of photography. Each week we’d learn about a new technique, then we’d be given a task to go out and take some shots that put into practice this new skill or knowledge. The class was made up of a small group of about 8 people, and we all got to know each other pretty well during the course. We also spent time in the darkroom learning basic printing techniques, and put together a portfolio of our work over the duration of the course. It was great fun and if I could find the time I’d love to go back again to compete another course.
In addition to the black & white course I went on, they have colour and digital photography courses at various levels from beginner through to intermediate and advanced, as well as courses running along specific themes such as portrait or landscape photography. They seem to attract well-​respected tutors and a decent number of course attendees, and are well set up with two fully equipped black & white and colour darkrooms for printing, as well as a portable digital ‘darkroom’. What’s more, their production facilities are also open to the public as a drop-​in resource.
They also have a framing workshop offering framing and mounting services if you have a really nice shot you want to put up on your wall!