workshops
Nellie: Camera Obscura & Plant-Based Photography Workshops
Step inside a caravan-turned-camera and experience photography from the inside out.
As part of photoILKLEY 2026: HUMAN : NATURE, this unique hands-on workshop invites you to meet Nellie – a lovingly repurposed caravan that serves as a working camera obscura, eco-friendly darkroom and creative classroom on wheels.
Delivered by Photo Hub North in partnership with photoILKLEY, CultureCam explores the relationship between people, light, landscape and the photographic image. Participants will discover how a camera works, experience the world projected upside down inside the camera obscura, and create photographic portraits using sustainable, plant-based darkroom processes that are gentle on the environment.
Combining curiosity, creativity and experimentation, this 90-minute workshop offers a rare opportunity to engage with photography in its most elemental form – using light, natural materials and hands-on making to better understand how we see and connect with the world around us.
Please select your preferred workshop session when booking. Each session is a complete workshop, and places are limited to six participants.
Suitable for all ages. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Book tickets for one of the sessions HERE
Workshop Information
Venue: Ilkley Manor House Courtyard
Dates:
4 July
-
11:00 - 12:30
-
1:30 - 3:00
5 July
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11:00 - 12:30
-
1:30 - 3:00
Duration: 90 minutes
Tickets: £15 per person
Stitch Your Story: Embroidered Photography Workshop
Slow down and add a new layer to your photographs — with thread.
As part of photoILKLEY 2026, this hands-on workshop invites participants to explore the creative possibilities of stitching directly onto photographic prints. Led by artist Zoe Boswell, the session will introduce simple embroidery techniques and show how thread can be used to emphasise, reveal, hide or transform an image.
Participants will begin with confidence-building skills, including threading needles, separating strands, tying knots and practising basic stitches on card.
The group will then explore how stitch can interact with an image, before developing their own design through drawing, tracing and stitching onto a photographic print.
You are welcome to bring your own photographs, or use images provided on the day. Zoe will also share examples of her own work for inspiration.
This workshop is suitable for beginners and curious makers. No previous embroidery experience is needed.
Workshop Information
Venue: Ilkley Arts Studio – Cottage No.4, Castle Yard, Ilkley.
LS29 9DT.
Dates: Saturday 18 July, 11:00 am
Duration: 2 hours
Tickets: £25 per person (all materials included)
Booking: Please book in advance as there are only 10 places available. CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS.
Phone Photography Walking Workshop
Slow down, look closely, and discover Ilkley through your phone camera.
As part of photoILKLEY 2026: HUMAN:NATURE, this relaxed and creative walking workshop invites participants to explore Ilkley’s streets, green spaces and hidden details through smartphone photography.
Led by photographer Louise Rayner, the workshop will introduce practical techniques for composition, light, storytelling and observation. Using only a smartphone, participants will learn how to frame everyday scenes more thoughtfully, respond to their surroundings, and create more compelling images.
Combining gentle walking, close looking and hands-on making, this workshop offers an accessible way to experience photography
as a tool for noticing, connecting and seeing the familiar in new ways.
Suitable for all levels. Please bring a fully charged smartphone and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Workshop Information
Venue: Ilkley Manor House Courtyard
Dates: Saturday 11 July -11:00am–12:30pm;
Duration: 90 min
Tickets: £10 per person
Capacity: 10 participants per session