A PORTLAND COMMUNITY DARKROOM
OUR MISSION:
Creating Community Through Photography
A space in Portland, available to everyone, no matter where you are at in your photographic journey.
At Franklin FOTO, our mission is to foster an inclusive and creative environment where individuals from all backgrounds can explore the timeless art of black and white film photography.
As a community darkroom, we are dedicated to preserving the beauty of the analog processes while providing access, education, and support to both seasoned photographers and curious newcomers. We strive to be a cornerstone of Portland’s vibrant photography community, celebrating diversity, collaboration, and the artistry of film.
DECEMBER EXHIBITION
Noise & Grain is a group exhibition of film photography that celebrates Portland’s vibrant and ever-evolving music community. On view at Franklin FOTO Gallery from December 6 through 31, the show brings together Portland photographers who have spent years documenting the city’s independent sound with silver halide crystals. The exhibition features portraits and live performance images of Pete Krebs, John Craigie, Ural Thomas, Alela Diane, Mic Crenshaw, and members of Sleater-Kinney, Y La Bamba, Blitzen Trapper, Quasi, Reptaliens, The Gossip, Forty Feet Tall, Spoon Benders, and many others—including Portland transplants Peter Buck and Stephen Malkmus.
Photography and live music share a deeply symbiotic relationship: music provides the energy and emotion that photographers translate into visual form, while photography helps music endure beyond the fleeting moment of performance. Together, they capture and preserve the heartbeat of Portland’s creative spirit. Noise & Grain is more than an exhibition, it’s a celebration of Portland’s creative ecosystem. By highlighting local photographers and musicians, the project strengthens community connections, supports independent artists, and preserves a cultural record of the city’s music scene through the timeless medium of film.
Curated by filmmaker, photographer, and musician Zach Putnam, Noise & Grain is not intended as a comprehensive history of Portland’s music scene but rather a glimpse, or a textured snapshot, of the people and places that shape it. The hope is that this exhibition will be the first in an ongoing series celebrating new artists, new photographs, and new live performances that continue to define Portland’s cultural landscape.
The December 6 opening reception at Franklin FOTO will feature a dynamic mix of art and live music by Blair Borax, followed by an after-party show at Havalina with performances by Amos Heart, and Johnny Franco & His Real Brother Dom.
Artists featured: Ayal Alves, Amy Borton, Camille Bruya, Corbin C, Caitlin, James Colhoff, Crowley, Erin DeLallo, Elle James, Jason E. Kaplan, Samantha Klopp, Cara Lindsay, Haley Shea Miller, Leo Newman, Abby Joy Press, Zach Putman, Jason Quigley, Ingrid Renan, Andrew Thomas, Michele Thompson, Julia Varga, José Velazco, Mieke Vrijmoet
We provide all of the equipment you need in order to develop your back & white and color film negatives by hand. Whether it is 35mm, 120mm, or 4x5, we have all the chemicals, reels, film holders, tanks and space you need to process, wash & dry your film.
Film Processing
Black & White Photo Enlarging and Film Scanning
We built a professional space with everything you need to enlarge your black & white photos on photographic paper. This includes enlargers, easels, and washing/drying stations. Or if you prefer to scan your film, we have everything you need to do so, including both flat-bed and camera-scanning equipment. Due to high demand, it is recommended you reserve camera-scanning equipment prior to use.
Are you interested in enhancing your knowledge of film or are you learning for the first time? There are classes for every skill level to help enhance Black and White Film Photography Skills, from shooting to developing and enlarging, our workshops offer learning for all levels.
Community Classes
Do you need a studio space for your next photoshoot? Our in-house studio is ready for all of your photographic needs. Our backdrop wall and space is great for portrait shoots as well as product photography.
Studio Space
Membership
For a simple flat monthly fee you can have 40-hour per week access to all of our film developing, printing and scanning facilities, plus 30% discount on community classes and lighting studio rental.
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Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Email
manager@franklinfoto.org
Sharmil@franklinfoto.org - Assistant Director