Studio Lighting Workshop with Steve Franck

If you want to take the next step in your photography and start creating images with real impact, learning how to control light is essential. This workshop is designed to give you a clear and approachable understanding of studio lighting, so you can confidently work in a studio or on location. Whether you want to improve your portrait, product or food photography, mastering lighting techniques will transform the quality of your images.

On this 5 hour practical workshop I cover all the basics of lighting to provide the necessary understanding of lighting techniques for you to feel comfortable in hiring a studio on your own, or to shoot on location with studio style lights, with the confidence to create your own professionally lit photographs.

What’s covered

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

• Light Theory - Understanding the “Inverse Square Law”

• Directional Lighting - understanding light and shadow

• Balancing flash and ambient light

• Use of light modifiers

• Using “Flags” and “Reflectors”

• How to use a Light Meter

• Using Gels for creative effect

• Using a Grey Card

• Classic lighting techniques like “Rembrandt”, “clamshell”, and “butterfly”

• Shooting “Tethered” directly to a laptop for instant review

This is a practical workshop where you will set up lights and work in a functioning photographic studio. Group sizes are limited to four people, and participants rotate between the roles of photographer, model and lighting assistant to gain a full understanding of the process.

Studio Lighting Workshop Details

This five hour workshop is suitable for beginners and intermediate photographers who want to build or strengthen their studio lighting skills. You do not need previous studio experience, but you must be familiar with using your camera in full Manual Mode. If you would like help with that first, you can book a 1-2-1 session.

Workshops are open to individuals or small groups, with a maximum of four participants to ensure plenty of hands-on time. Sessions begin at 10:00 and last around five hours, with a short break for lunch. Please bring your own lunch or pick something up from the shops on Green Lanes.

If you would prefer a longer or customised session, you are welcome to get in touch to arrange something that suits your needs.

Learn Location and Studio Lighting

Green Lens studios offers two very different environments to shoot in, which means that Workshop participants have the opportunity to apply lighting techniques learned in the studio to a location or lifestyle type environment. This is a great way to learn how to balance flash with ambient light.

The morning session will introduce participants to shooting in a studio to learn the basic techniques and theory of lighting. After lunch participants will have a chance to put their skills into practice by lighting a lifestyle shoot in a space above the studio.

Reigniting the Creative Spark: Creative Catch-up, 26th November

We're thrilled to be invite you to our beloved community tradition of relaxed and informal session for artists, makers, photographers, writers, and all kinds of creative people in Haringey and beyond. It’s a chance to step away from your studio, desk and computer and connect with your peers in a friendly, supportive environment.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your creative journey, you are welcome here. These catch-ups have always been about sharing ideas, discussing challenges, and finding inspiration in our shared experiences.

Wednesday, 27th November

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Free to attend

Why you should come:

• An opportunity to run your creative ideas by a diverse group of fellow creatives and gain fresh perspectives.

• Talk about your current projects, ask for advice, or simply listen to the diverse creative work happening in our borough.

• Forge new connections and friendships with the talented individuals in your local creative community.

• A casual conversation can often be the spark for your next big idea.

To help us get an idea of numbers, please RSVP by November 23rd at info@greenlenstudios.com

We can't wait to see you there and help strengthen the fabric of our local arts scene, one conversation at a time.

Finalist in the 2025 AOP (Association of Photographers) Green Awards

We’re thrilled to announce that Green Lens Studios has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 AOP (Association of Photographers) Green Awards. This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious creative production.

For over a decade, Green Lens Studios has championed the integration of environmental awareness into the visual arts — from renewable energy use and sustainable materials to fostering collaborations that value community, culture, and the planet. Being recognised by an institution like the AOP, which celebrates excellence and innovation in photography, marks an important milestone in our journey.

The AOP Green Award celebrates initiatives that demonstrate measurable environmental impact and inspire others in the creative industries to adopt greener practices. We’re proud to stand among peers and innovators who share our vision for a more responsible and regenerative creative future.

This nomination isn’t just an acknowledgment of our past efforts — it’s a motivation to continue developing ways for artists and production teams to create meaningful work while reducing their environmental footprint.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of Green Lens Studios’ story so far - from the artists, photographers, producers, filmmakers who have shared our space, to the partners and collaborators who have helped bring sustainable practices into the heart of the creative process.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

Let’s keep creating, responsibly.

SPRING BIKE RIDE 2025

“Wait… has it really been 15 years?” we hear someone ask — maybe it’s you, maybe it’s us, maybe it’s the walls whispering back.

Yes, it has! Fifteen years of making, shooting, growing, showing, riding — together.

Green Lens Studios began as a seedling of an idea, a quiet corner of creativity tucked on the ladder’s steps. And now, fifteen years on, it’s alive — held together by community, fueled by creativity, always moving.

To celebrate, we’re doing what we do best — rolling out into the world with open hearts and well oiled chains.

This year’s annual ride, held on the 11th of May, is woven into the rhythm of 11.11.11:

11am start • 11-mile ride • on the 11th day.

And we won’t be riding alone. We’re delighted to welcome some very cool new friends from Berlin — the crew from Tyrell, gliding in with their sleek, folding Japanese bikes that feel like poetry in motion. Light, elegant, and made for the kind of city dreaming we love.

Straight from Japan and now available at Boxbike Berlin, the Tyrell IVE has captured our hearts. With its compact fold, beautifully crafted steel frame, 50mm tire clearance, and reliable Shimano components, it's built for both style and practicality. Add in smooth-rolling wheels, plenty of rack options, and standout colours, and you’ve got a folding bike ready to take on Europe. We’re excited to ride these beautiful bikes through London on 11th of May. Come and test ride with us!

Image: Andi Stückl

Join us as we celebrate 15 years of ideas in flight — on two wheels, under open skies, with friends old and new.

Click the “Going” button below to RSVP and secure your spot. Tickets are free!

See you on 11th!

Keep Booking, Keep Planting

Green Lens Studios is turning fifteen this spring!

As we celebrate this milestone, we want to give back to the planet and to you - our followers, our community. This spring and summer, for every booking made with us, we’ll gift a tree in your name through our reforestation partner. It’s our way of saying thank you while supporting a greener future.

We’ll be following up with some details and Green Lens’s forest growth diaries.

Stay tuned! And keep booking with us!

Green regards,

GLS

15 Years of Green Lens Studios – A Celebration!

Fifteen years ago, around this time, Green Lens Studios hosted its very first shoot in our newly converted space on Atterbury Road. What followed was an incredible journey—exhibitions, film screenings, creative courses, bike rides, workshops, and community events—all unfolding against the vibrant backdrop of Haringey.

Now, we’re thrilled to mark 15 years of Green Lens with a celebration in true GLS style. We’ll be hosting a series of special events—think delicious food, community bike rides, inspiring talks with industry experts, art (lots of it!), and, of course, music. Expect some joyful surprises along the way.

One of our highlights: a bike ride along a classic route we’ve taken many times before, tracing the calm beauty of River Lea—a perfect moment to slow down, connect with nature, and share the journey with old friends and new faces alike.

We’ll also be offering a series of educational events, including hands-on workshops and thought-provoking talks led by creatives and sustainability advocates. Whether you’re looking to gain new skills, exchange ideas, or simply be inspired, there’ll be something for everyone.

Anniversary Program Highlights:

11.05.2025 — Community Spring Bike Ride

One of our highlights - a joyful, slow-paced community bike ride through the green corridors of North London. Open to all ages and abilities, this ride celebrates sustainability, local connection, and the shared spirit that fuels Green Lens. We’ll start and end at the studio, with rest stops, snacks, and a chance to chat with fellow riders along the way.

15.05.2025 — Climate Film Screening

We’re hosting a screening of Chasing Ice, the award-winning documentary by Jeff Orlowski. Through breathtaking time-lapse footage, it captures the urgency of climate change in a way that’s both powerful and poetic.

30.06.2025 — Anniversary Exhibition Opening

We’ll be celebrating 15 years of creativity at Green Lens with a group exhibition featuring artists who have shaped our space. Expect photography, installation, and multimedia works that speak to memory, transformation, and community.

Stay tuned for the full schedule—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Clay Meditation with Anke Buchmann

Find Stillness Through Clay: A Tactile Meditation

Image: Larissa Honsek

Step away from the noise and into a space of calm. Through guided meditation, observe, breathe, and immerse yourself in the now. This tactile Clay Meditation offers a moment to reconnect - with your hands, your body, and your breath. Shift your attention to the organic material clay and yourself.

This isn’t about creating a masterpiece; instead it’s about the process and experience. The soft tactility of clay becomes your guide, drawing you into a personal flow of touch, gesture, and presence. With every motion, your mind unwinds, your breath slows, and your nervous system relaxes.

Anke invites you to slow down, explore the material’s organic qualities and mirror them in your body. Ultimately you’ll release all creations — embracing the power of impermanence.

This one-hour session is open to anyone seeking to pause, reflect, and feel truly present. Whether you're looking to calm a busy mind or discover a fresh source of inspiration, this is your invitation to let go, breathe, and just be. Your nervous system will thank you for it.

Image: Larissa Honsek

Anke Buchmann, artist and founder of HANDFUL, will guide you through this conscious experience. As a Berlin based artist, her work encompasses ceramic sculpture, performance, and engagement. Her research is concerned with the question of how to access and document lived experiences in clay. She studied ceramics at Central Saint Martins (University of the Arts London) and has exhibited in solo and group shows in Berlin, London and France such as the British Ceramic Biennial, Pangolin London, Ceramic Art London, London Design Festival, The Hub at Wellcome Collection London. She is the founder of Clay Meditation and HANDFUL muddy hands. clear minds., a mindful ceramic studio for people with a desire to activate their hands.

Date: 1st of April 2025

Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Green Lens Studios, London

BOOKINGS via Eventbrite following this link: https://tinyurl.com/yc253vpb

Join us and rediscover the simple power of touch, presence, and release!

Maximise your studio time in 2025: some tips to make every session count

Many creative teams are in the planning stages of their next project. Whether you’re working on an editorial, product photography, or a short film, optimizing your time in the studio is key to a successful shoot. At Green Lens Studios, we’ve put together some essential tips to help you make the most of your studio rental.

1. Know Your Equipment Needs

Planning ahead is the best way to avoid wasting time during your shoot. We offer a variety of in-house lighting and light-shaping tools, but we understand that you might have specific requirements. If there’s any equipment you need that we don’t have on hand, simply let us know in advance. We work with several lighting rental houses in London, and can arrange anything you need, saving you valuable time on the day of your shoot.

2. Make Use of Our Versatile Studio Features

Green Lens Studios isn’t just a typical photography space. We offer a range of backdrops and features that can elevate your shoot, including wooden paneling, painted brick walls, and our distinctive “cabin” vibe. If you’re looking to create unique looks or shoot editorials that require an authentic, urban aesthetic, our studio can be the perfect location.

3. Pre-Plan Your Setups

A key way to save time is to plan your shoot setups in advance. If you know what you’re aiming for, you can avoid back-and-forth changes during the session. A simple pre-production checklist of shots, lighting setups, and props can help streamline your shoot and keep things moving smoothly.

4. Consider Your Crew Needs

If your shoot requires additional hands, like another photographer or an assistant, make arrangements ahead of time. Having your team in place before the shoot starts means less downtime and more productive work.

5. Stay Refueled

Don’t let hunger slow you down! We can help arrange lunch for your crew to keep everyone energized. From catering to light snacks, knowing your needs in advance can help you avoid unnecessary breaks and interruptions during your shoot.

If you have any projects in the pipeline, do get in touch with your questions, ideas, or bookings.. and happy planning!

Sibylle Bergemann

This is a homage to Sibylle Bergemann's  (29 August 1941 – 1 November 2010) - a German photographer and a member of the Academy of Arts, Berlin.

Her portraits were not analytical but rather descriptive, showing people as they appeared in real life. She moved on from fashion to photograph first her own country, East Germany, and later the rest of the world. In 1990, together with Ute Mahler and Harald Hauswald, she founded the Ostkreuz agency, which now represents a score of photographers.

Perhaps Bergemann's most important legacy is the series of black-and-white photographs she took of everyday life in East Germany as it evolved over the years. Later, she compiled photographic reportages about New York City, Tokyo, Paris and São Paulo; and even more recently, turning from black and white to colour, she travelled through Africa and Asia on assignments for Geo.

All images © Sibylle Bergemann

Through a ‘Greens Lens’, Darkly - Mirrors, Speculums and Visions of the Beyond!

THOUGH A “GREEN LENS”, DARKLY

(Mirrors, Speculums and Visions of the Beyond!)

22nd - 24th March 2024 

A group exhibition of multidisciplinary art - Experimental Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Painting, Musical Performance, Performance art.

Ashley Scott Fitzgerald - Bjørn Hatleskog - Inga Tillere - Ismini Sigala - Johny Brown - Jo Wonder - Jonathan Ford - Kevin Quigley - Magical Sun - Mark Rathmell - Mary Yacoob - Minerva Carvalho - Phill Wilson Perkin - Ralf Jacobs - Ria Wank - Sarah Sparkes - Siobhan McAuley - Wolfgang Ganter - Yev Kazannik

Curated by

Kevin Quigley 

Yev Kazannik 

PV:  Friday 22nd March 6-9pm

2nd event: Saturday 23rd March 2-9pm

Performances

Friday

Jo Wonder + Mark Rathmell 

The Glass of Silence

Saturday

Magical Sun

Cosmic Kazannik (DJ Set)

Belle Bete (DJ Set)

“All teems with symbol; the wise person is a person who in any one thing sees another”, Plotinus (204-270 CE) 2nd Ennead

From the medieval word Speculum comes the word Speculation or Speculative as in - Speculative Philosophy - a philosophy professing to be founded upon intuitive or a priori insight - a philosophy with special insight into the nature of the Absolute or Divine, the transcendent…

When St Paul coined his famous phrase -  ‘For now we see through a glass, darkly’, - 1 Corinthians 13:12. He was actually re-quoting an original phrase by the Greek Philosopher Socrates who said. For I am very far from admitting that he who contemplates existence through the medium of ideas, sees them only "through a glass darkly," from Plato’s Phaedo

The English word for Glass comes from the pan-Germanic word - Glæs

Which means a substance that glows or glistens - a mirror? Oxford English Dictionary first translated this as - Speculum “Mirror” or as a magic crystal in 1484 

According to the English Scholar - Angela Voss Scrying has been variously defined as “the faculty of seeing visions in a smooth surface - an occult method for obtaining oracular visions in water, glass or crystal - the idea of a mirror or shining surface revealing an occult dimension.

Looking forward to see you then over that weekend on sunny March

Stop Making Seance Film Night

Get ready to release your inner David Byrne (or perhaps channel your inner Tina Weymouth!) at Green Lens Studios' exclusive event on the 19th of October. We're thrilled to invite you to a special evening celebrating the musical heritage of Talking Heads with a "Stop Making Sense" film night.

Date: TBC
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, Screening starts at 8:30 PM
Venue: Green Lens Studios, 4a Atterbury Road, London, N4 1SF

This promises to be a night filled with the iconic sounds of Talking Heads, surrounded by fellow music enthusiasts. Please note that spaces are very limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early to ensure you don't miss out on the fun!

To RSVP and secure your spot, simply reply to this email info@greenlenstudios.com. We look forward to celebrating the musical brilliance of Talking Heads with you.

LUMEN printing workshop with Yev Kazannik // 7th October

The Secret of the Third Planet from Selected Lumen Prints, Bjorko, 2021. Lumen print on Ilford Multigrade iV

Delve into the world of lumen printing in this workshop led by artist Yev Kazannik Explore alternative photographic processes and create unique images by blending cameraless photography with painting techniques.

Date: 7th of October 2023

Time: 10:30 -13:30

Location: Green Lens Studios, London

RSVP: info@greenlenstudios.com

Workshop Highlights:

• Discover cutting-edge lumen printing techniques.

• Learn to combine cameraless photography with painting principles.

• Experiment with safe darkroom chemicals.

• Create vibrant images not found elsewhere.

• All materials provided; bring your own notebook and pen.

About the Workshop Leader: Yev Kazannik, co-founder of Green Lens Studios, will guide you through this creative journey. Visual artist, working predominately with analogue printing techniques, he studied photography at the London College of Communication (University of the Arts London) and worked as a commercial photographer for over 15 years, with work published in the Guardian, FT, Wire, Wax Poetics, NME, XLR8R and others. He moved away from working with traditional camera techniques in 2019 and started developing a new analogue process instrumenting Lumen Printing and Photogram among others. 

Yev’s work engages with themes of time, light, the human mind and its constructions. His work has been exhibited internationally and so as a part of private and museum collections.

Creative Catch Up Series: This workshop is part of the Creative Catch Up series taking place across Europe. Join us for unique artistic experiences.

Reserve Your Spot via Eventim Page Link

Visit Green Lens Studios: www.greenlenstudios.com

Explore the world of lumen printing and its artistic possibilities. Join us for a day of creativity and learning!

Creative Catch Up with Lara Monro

This time we are excited to introduce Lara Monro...

This time we are excited to introduce Lara Monro…

Lara is an Arts & Culture Bid Writer Creative Mentor and Journalist. She will be hosting a 45 minute conversation on 31st of May from 6:30pm to share some of her expertise knowledge on Arts Council Englands Develop Your Creative Practice Grant. Here is an idea of what will be covered:

• What is the Develop Your Creative Practice grant?

• How do you apply? What can you apply for?

• When is the deadline?

Ask Lara any questions

Lara will also share information on Access Support: a service that Arts Council provides for individuals who identify as Neurodivergent and who need support in compiling and submitting their application.

Green Up Your Studio Workshop // 1st April 11:00

We're thrilled to announce a new educational event in partnership with Green Up Your Act! Join us at Green Lens Studios on April 1st from 11am for an exciting upcycling workshop where you'll get to unleash your inner eco-warrior and make your own Eco ideas pad. The pad will have 40 recycled pages for writing, drawing, printing, and collecting ideas. Best of all, this event is completely free, and light refreshments will be provided.

Green Up Your Act is a UK-based organization that brings sustainability and environmental education to life through stimulating discussions, engaging presentations, and creative workshops for primary and secondary education. Phil and his team have worked with hundreds of different schools and colleges over the past ten years, and they're passionate about all things sustainable, including recycling, upcycling, global/local biodiversity, endangered species and their habitats, and the growing of seasonal food.

The workshop will be held at Green Lens Studios, and the duration will be approximately 2 hours. Spaces are limited, so register today by emailing info@greenlenstudios.com to secure your spot. We can't wait to see you there!

Supper Club Season is here..

Here at Green Lens we are getting ready for a festive season and could not think of a better way to do so than enjoying great drink and food with you through unique evenings worthy of our ever so green Lens Studio.

Without further ado, we are delighted to announce that this December 2022 we will be running a series of very special supper clubs and dining events featuring some of our favourite chefs in town who will draw together different dishes and flavours that will promise to leave your tastebuds feeling flawlessly fulfilled…

To fire us up, our first evening will be with the infamous Bolland & Crust who will be bringing their wood fired spit roast and cooking us up a winter feast of sensational seasonal treats and timeless tastes here in the heart of Harringay. Ever since founder Max custom built his first spit roast BBQ back in 2009, they’ve been turning venues, office spaces and back gardens into places of authentic and unique feasting. Bolland & Crust will be bringing their wood-fired spit along and cooking a winter feast of seasonal treats. Over the hot embers they'll be roasting rare breed stuffed shoulders of pork, with crackling to make your mouth water.

We can’t wait to welcome Max and his team back to Green Lens on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th of December. Tickets are limited and allocated on a first come, first serve basis so bag your spot while you can. We look forward to eating and drinking with you!

16th and 17th of December 2022, from 7pm

Green Lens Studios, N4 1SF

Cost: £35 two course / £45 three course 

Starters

N22 Smoked sea trout, horseradish, pickles, volkan rye

Aged cheddar and leek croquettes

Mains :

Spit roast rolled shoulders of pork stuffed with oregano, chilli, garlic and fennel seed

Vegetarian Option: Fire roasted celeriac topped with mushrooms, shallots & aged parmesan

Deep fried potato cake, quince aioli  

White beans & mustard

Chicory, pear & walnuts 

Dessert

Plum pudding

Cheese course + £9 

We are open from 6:30, Dinner served: 7:30pm

For tickets and table reservations get in touch at info@greenlenstudios.com

Online bookings: Eventbride

Looking forward to dining with some of you and be Mary ..

A new forest of Dundreggan..

In 2017, we visited the Dundreggan forest in the Scottish Highlands to take part in a tree planting scheme on behalf of the studio’s sustainable initiative. Five years on and we have been updated of the impressive progress in the growth of this beautiful estate. We are truly proud to see the development of these photos from 2017 to 2022, and to recognise that these actions have created tangible results.

In the 1950’s, only 1% of the majestic in a past Caledonian Forest of Scottish highland remained, as a result of tree felling, urban growth, and farming. Since the regeneration, over 4,000 species of plant and animal are now found on the land, including red squirrels, lynx, wolves, wild cattle, beavers and rare plants like twinflowers.

Warm regards to everyone involved once again. It was a truly special week at Dundreggan forest. A few useful links below:

Images form the week https://photos.app.goo.gl/ydst4DyTVKvU6rap9
Location Map Ref/ Planted October 2017: NH 30248 16760 57°12′36.20″N 004°48′44.08″W GoogleMap link : https://goo.gl/maps/Y7tQ7xXsa7t

You can plant a tree here too: https://treesforlife.org.uk/support/plant-a-tree/

Learn about the next tree planting trip we are organising for Q1 2022 getting in touch via email: info@greenlenstudios.com

Creative Catch Up with Raf Stahelin / 15th September 2022

We welcome you to another creative catch up session; a chance to reconnect with fellow photographers and creatives to chat and share ideas in the homely environment of Green Lens Studios with some drinks and nibbles.

This time we are excited to introduce freelance fashion photographer and film director, Raf Stahelin. Born without borders, the Swiss ex-pat lost in the megapolis, he is finding roots in some form of artistic creativity, unpinning from technologies by a deeper dive into the foundations of perspective and rendering. He is hoping to break free into a meaningful form of contemporary expression. Raf brings a bold and contemporary style to his commissions, working with clients like American Vogue, Tommy Hilfiger, and Bazaar Magazine.

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Date: 15th September 2022

Time: 7pm onwards

Location: Green Lens Studios, N4 1SF

If you would like to join us don’t forget to RSVP to info@greenlenstudios.com. There are limited spaces available, so don’t hesitate to get in touch! We can’t wait to welcome you back to Green Lens Studios.

Wake Up ..

This is a short stop motion animation produced by Ruby Panjwani, one of our staff members here at Green Lens Studios. The film was made for a University of the Arts project, where students made two-minute films promoting awareness of one aspect of the climate crisis, in this case, the scale of our household rubbish production.

Artists residency program at Green Lens Studios

Arts Residency program at Green Lens Studios/ NORTH4

Green Lens Studios is excited to announce a new artists residency program at its premises in Haringey in North London.

We are pleased to announce our residency programme taking place from November 2023 to February 2024 at our NORTH4 studio in Harringay. We would like to open our doors to local artists who are looking for an affordable, cosy art space to be inspired. Our 800 square foot studio has full creative capacity, kitchen and bathroom facilities, with a gorgeous upstairs “green room” area, open space downstairs studio, and free parking.

The programme will last for a duration of tree months, but longer working periods possible, if necessary. This Artist Residency programme is focused on connecting with the local creative community. Green Lens is working on creating a local hub where different communities can come together and enjoy creativity. Please note that as part of this residency, we will be asking the artists involved to host creative community workshops through the partnerships we will secure with local social and cultural venues. 

If you are interested, please contact info@greenlenstudios.com with a brief description of your potential art project here or any further questions you have. 

We are looking forward to hearing form uk based and international artists!

Follow us on Instagram @greenlensstudios