A girl in a pink top holds an Instax camera up to her eye in a classroom

Community workshop · Debet, Armenia · June 2021

In Their Hands

Two days with the children and teenagers of Debet: cyanotype in the field, then Instax in the classroom. Run with photographer Paul Lewis. A model for NGOs, schools and local partners.

Why I teach as well as document

When I document a community, I also hand over the camera.

In June 2021 my colleague Paul Lewis and I ran a two-day workshop at the COAF Centre in Debet, in the north of Armenia. On the first day the teenagers made cyanotypes. On the second the younger children worked with Instax cameras. They decided what to photograph, what to keep and what to show.

A girl sits on a chair in a classroom, talking with a young woman, an Instax camera on the chair beside her — The classroom, Debet, June 2021

Day one · 18 June 2021

Cyanotype is one of the oldest photographic processes. The paper prints in the sun, in deep blue.

The teenagers gathered plants from the field, laid them on the paper with their own hands, and let the sun do the rest.

Paul Lewis shows children a fresh blue print at a table indoors — Paul Lewis with the first prints, inside the centre

Two teenagers bend down in long grass, gathering plants — Gathering plants in the field

Teenagers kneel along a path, laying out sheets of paper in the sun — Laying the prints out in the sun

A boy in a striped shirt holds up a blue print of a hand — A hand, a heart, a flower, leaves from the field. Debet, 18 June 2021

A girl in a dark jacket holds a blue print of a heart — A hand, a heart, a flower, leaves from the field. Debet, 18 June 2021

A group of teenagers stand in a field, each holding up a blue cyanotype print — Everyone and their prints, Debet, 18 June 2021

Day two · 19 June 2021

Next, the younger children learned the camera.

Then they photographed what mattered to them: family, home, a garden, a bicycle. Each instant print belonged to the child who made it.

A girl with dark plaits looks down at the Instax camera in her hands — Learning the camera

Listen · Armen

One button got stuck. I had twenty shots, but only nine came out.
Armen, on learning the camera

In Armenian · 17 seconds · English from the interview transcript

A boy in a purple T-shirt holds the Instax camera up in both hands — June 2021

The youngest girl holds the Instax camera up to her face — The youngest photographer

Film · Debet, June 2021

Their pictures Instax workshop · 1 min 47 · The children explain the camera, then choose their pictures · English subtitles · Music: A Blissful Journey, Audio Network

Listen · Ani

These are old toys, from long ago. I am very attached to old toys. They bring back good memories.
Ani, on one of her pictures

In Armenian · 10 seconds · English from the interview transcript

Two hands frame an instant print of a family on pink paper — A family, and home. The pictures they chose

Two hands frame an instant print of a blue door — A family, and home. The pictures they chose

Listen · Milena

Here you can see all of nature. I love nature very much, especially the sky. Here is our sky, the mountains, the stones on the mountains, and my favourite mulberry tree.
Milena, on one of her pictures

In Armenian · 16 seconds · English from the interview transcript

A hand sets down an instant print of a painted plate — June 2021

Listen · Milena

What feeling do these pictures give you? Joy.
Milena, asked about her pictures

In Armenian · 8 seconds · English from the interview transcript

Before

We agree the aims together.

I work through you, the partner on the ground. Parents give consent, and the children choose what they photograph and what stays private.

During

Small groups, real cameras, short sessions.

Children learn by doing. They make their pictures, then talk about them on camera in their own words and their own language.

After

The pictures go back to the community.

The children keep their prints. A screening or small exhibition follows where the work was made. You receive the film, a selection of images and a short written account for your funders and supporters.

Listen · Ani

It was very pleasant to be part of this project. It was very interesting for me, and I learned things.
Ani, looking back

In Armenian · 18 seconds · English from the interview transcript

Listen · Ani

If they give me another camera, I will try to take even better pictures.
Ani, on what comes next

In Armenian · 8 seconds · English from the interview transcript

A girl in a floral dress raises an Instax camera to take a picture in a classroom — The camera turned round

End of the walk

Bring a workshop to your community

I work with NGOs, schools and foundations in places facing conflict, displacement or isolation. Tell me about your community and we will plan a workshop together. The Debet workshop was run with photographer Paul Lewis.

Plan a workshop with me Walk: The Art of Seeing All Armenia work

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