NEON LIGHT AND PAINTERLY POLAROIDS DAY 1 (MAY 24)

This workshop is a collaborative experience led by two photographers, Anna Lisa Wagner and Maria Knofe, each with a distinct visual language. Participants will explore two unique approaches to image-making: cinematic neon-lit film photography and painterly SX-70 Polaroids.

Set against the surreal landscape of Joshua Tree, this workshop blends technical teaching, creative exploration, and hands-on shooting.

WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT

• Two artists, two distinct visual worlds

• Learn both film + Polaroid techniques in one experience

• Shoot with experienced models who are also your instructors

• Emphasis on creative intuition, not just technical settings

• Small group for personalized guidance

PART I: Neon Light as Transformation

This segment focuses on using neon light in natural environments to create surreal, otherworldly imagery on film.

Participants will learn:

• How to work with neon in outdoor/night settings

• Balancing artificial light with ambient darkness

• ‘Painting’ with light and gradients

• Film stock choices and how they respond to neon

• Creating mood through color, contrast, and shadow

• Directing the human form to interact with light

This is less about perfection, more about exploration — allowing light to distort, sculpt, and transform the subject.

PART II: Painting with Polaroid

This segment offers participants the opportunity to blend their knowledge of art and art history with that of instant film. Participants will learn how to apply a variety of traditional painting methodologies in order to:

• Create unique and unconventional compositions within the limitations of a square frame

• Capture a subject/scene using only available natural light

• Create an intuitive and cohesive storyline using the allotted 8 frames per pack

• Become comfortable with using Polaroid film as a medium for portraiture

Both instructors are experienced models, offering participants the rare opportunity to:

• Direct and photograph skilled subjects

• Observe how artists use their own bodies in composition

• Learn posing as a form of storytelling

• Explore vulnerability, movement, and abstraction

STRUCTURE

BEFORE

• Online introduction session

• Creative briefing + inspiration references

• Technical overview (film + Polaroid basics)

DURING

DAY 1 (GROUP WORKSHOP)

• On-location teaching in Joshua Tree

• Live demonstrations by both artists

• Two shooting blocks:

  • Neon Film Module (~2 hours)

  • SX-70 Polaroid Module (~2 hours)

• Guided group shooting with hands-on support

WHO THIS IS FOR

• Photographers looking to expand creatively

• Artists curious about film and alternative processes

• Anyone drawn to surreal, cinematic, or painterly imagery

All levels welcome, though basic camera knowledge is helpful.

VISUAL LANGUAGE

This workshop is rooted in:

• Light as a subject, not just a tool

• The human form as sculpture

• Imperfection as part of the process

• Atmosphere over technical precision

DATE & LOCATION

Memorial Day Weekend — Joshua Tree

Set across Memorial Day weekend, this workshop is designed as an immersive escape into landscape, light, and creative exploration.

The workshop will be held in the northern part of Joshua Tree National Park, the exact locations will be disclosed to participants closer to the workshop dates. For accommodation, staying anywhere between the Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms entrances along the Twentynine Palms Highway will ensure a short drive. There are excellent options available in Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and Twentynine Palms.

TAKEAWAYS

Participants will leave with:

• A deeper understanding of creative lighting

• Hands-on experience with film + Polaroid

• A portfolio of unique, experimental images

• New ways of seeing and directing subjects

FINAL NOTE

This is not a traditional workshop. It is an invitation to step into two artistic worlds and explore what happens when technique meets intuition.