De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) and Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCAD U) strengthened their creative and academic partnership through the continuation of the Experiential Photography workshop held from May 20 to 24, 2024.
The international program, taught by OCAD U faculty member Ursula Handleigh in collaboration with Professor Jay Javier of Benilde’s Photography program, invited students to explore expanded and alternative photographic processes rooted in the Philippine landscape and culture. The workshop emphasized the intersection of art, environment, and sustainability, providing participants with a unique opportunity to engage with analog and slow photography techniques that respond directly to local flora, materials, and natural light.
Through hands-on sessions, students discovered low-waste and sustainable approaches to film and photo paper development, formulating their own site-responsive developer recipes using eco-friendly materials. They also revisited historical photographic methods, such as hand-tinting and colorizing, while working in a traditional black-and-white darkroom—bridging the gap between past and present practices.
More than a technical exercise, Experiential Photography encouraged students to embrace experiential and reflective learning, focusing on materiality, place, and process. The collaboration between Benilde and OCAD U exemplifies how global partnerships can nurture artistic innovation while fostering environmental consciousness and cross-cultural exchange.
Through this immersive experience, young photographers from both institutions not only honed their craft but also deepened their understanding of how art can meaningfully engage with the world around them.
