About the events
Join us for a September series of events at Roman Krawczenko’s Photography Studio. Here, you will discover the secrets of photography created using 19th-century techniques – the programme includes a visit to a century-old atelier as well as workshops in ambrotype, talbotype, and contact printing, offering a closer look at traditional photographic methods. Take a glimpse into a world where photography requires time, focus, and patience, and discover just how extraordinary images can be when they are created slowly, yet remain for generations.
Programme for September 2026
September 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2026 | A photographic atelier from 100 years ago – tour
September 5, 2026 | Ambrotype – silver on glass
September 19, 2026 | Talbotype – salted paper process
September 26, 2026 | Contact prints – photography with soul
A photographic atelier from 100 years ago – tour
Visit the Photography Studio in the Hartwig Alley and travel back in time a hundred years. Discover the secrets of historical photographic processes and see what the everyday work of a photographer looked like at the turn of the 20th century.
In Lublin’s Hartwig Alley, you will find a small Photography Studio run by Roman Krawczenko – a photographer and artist specializing in historical photographic processes. During your visit to this unique place, you will discover how a historic photographic atelier operated and what the work of a photographer and darkroom technician involved more than a century ago. The studio also offers a unique opportunity to have your portrait taken on glass using the collodion process.
When: September 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 2026, 11:50-15:50
Where: Photography Studio, the Hartwig Alley, Kowalska 3
Admission free
Ambrotype – silver on glass
Join us for a photography workshop in the wet plate collodion photography technique (ambrotype). Ambrotype (from the Greek for “immortal picture”) is one of the earliest positive photographic processes, used since 1851. It allows a single, unique image to be created, with no possibility of making prints. Such a portrait on glass can become a keepsake for generations to come – the photograph can survive intact for as long as 180 years!
The workshop will take place in a small group, allowing each participant to work independently with the technique, ask questions freely and receive individual support. The workshop is also suitable for people with no previous photography experience.
The workshop will be led by Roman Krawczenko – a well-known and respected historian, photographer and educator from Ukraine. Since 2015, he has run the Photography Studio in the Hartwig Alley. The artist not only creates photographs using alternative photographic processes, but also restores their memory and shows successive generations how photographs were made in the past. During a visit to Mr Roman, you do not simply pose in front of the lens – above all, you learn about the history of photography, see how cameras from the turn of the 20th century work, and take a look inside a darkroom. Under the guidance of an experienced photographer, you can also take part in developing your own photograph.
When: September 5, 2026, 11:00-13:30
Where: Photography Studio, the Hartwig Alley, Kowalska 3
For: adults
Registration: via the online form
Participation fee: 50 zł
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
Talbotype – salted paper process
The talbotype process was pioneered in 1839 by William Fox Talbot. During the workshop, participants will prepare their own light-sensitive photographic paper using, among other things, salt, gelatin, citric acid, silver nitrate and watercolor paper. They will then use the prepared salted paper to make UV-exposed prints by placing a negative featuring a view of Lublin on top. The photograph is just as durable as prints made using silver-based processes. It has a reddish-brown tone and a thin layer of natural wax that gives the photograph a delicate sheen. After the workshop, participants can take their photograph home.
The workshop will take place in a small group, allowing each participant to work independently with the technique, ask questions freely and receive individual support. The workshop is also suitable for people with no previous photography experience.
The workshop will be led by Roman Krawczenko – a well-known and respected historian, photographer and educator from Ukraine. Since 2015, he has run the Photography Studio in the Hartwig Alley. The artist not only creates photographs using alternative photographic processes, but also restores their memory and shows successive generations how photographs were made in the past. During a visit to Mr Roman, you do not simply pose in front of the lens – above all, you learn about the history of photography, see how cameras from the turn of the 20th century work, and take a look inside a darkroom. Under the guidance of an experienced photographer, you can also take part in developing your own photograph.
When: September 19, 2026, 11:00-13:30
Where: Photography Studio, the Hartwig Alley, Kowalska 3
For: adults
Registration: via the online form
Participation fee: 30 zł
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
Contact prints – photography with soul
Here is a unique opportunity to take part in a professional photography session. In the intimate setting of the Photography Studio, we will create portraits using one of the oldest photographic techniques, dating back to the early 20th century – contact prints. At the end of the visit, each person will receive two prints of their photographs. Such photographs are not only a beautiful keepsake from an extraordinary encounter, but also an original and one-of-a-kind gift.
The workshop will take place in a small group, allowing each participant to work independently with the technique, ask questions freely and receive individual support. The workshop is also suitable for people with no previous photography experience.
The workshop will be led by Roman Krawczenko – a well-known and respected historian, photographer and educator from Ukraine. Since 2015, he has run the Photography Studio in the Hartwig Alley. The artist not only creates photographs using alternative photographic processes, but also restores their memory and shows successive generations how photographs were made in the past. During a visit to Mr Roman, you do not simply pose in front of the lens – above all, you learn about the history of photography, see how cameras from the turn of the 20th century work, and take a look inside a darkroom. Under the guidance of an experienced photographer, you can also take part in developing your own photograph.
When: September 26, 2026, 11:00-13:30
Where: Photography Studio, the Hartwig Alley, Kowalska 3
For: adults
Registration: via the online form
Participation fee: 20 zł
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
More information
A discount is available when registering for all 3 paid workshops! The total participation fee is then only 85 zł per person. Workshops included in the discount:
- September 5, 2026 | Ambrotype – silver on glass
- September 19, 2026 | Talbotype – salted paper process
- September 26, 2026 | Contact prints – photography with soul
The Photography Studio is a partner of the Sezon Lublin 2026 programme. By taking part in the workshops, you can earn a sticker from the Viewer category. Collect stickers and receive prizes – for more information, visit sezon.lublin.eu.
Accessibility
- Guided visits are available in Polish and Ukrainian.
- The event takes place in a venue that is not architecturally accessible.
- Check how to get there – watch the video.
- Read about the accessibility of the Workshops of Culture here.
- Your individual participation needs: fill out the form.