The beauty in the method of Craig Watson and Focal Point, is his ability to distil this reborn fervour, into a physical space that fosters and welcomes creatives, and the curious, to sink their teeth into the traditional methods and techniques of shooting, developing and printing photographs, all for Geelong to enjoy. We do some used and second-hand cameras, but the whole place is about providing a space for people to explore and learn photography, and just appreciate it.”įilm photography of late, has seemed to have undergone a renaissance of sorts, with sales in film stocks rising, and interest in the medium growing by the year, fuelled by an avid online community exclusive to none, with the accessibility of the internet being the great equaliser. “There’s a studio, there’s a small shop where we sell all the requirements for film photography, and the darkroom, but also used equipment and books and anything at all that’s of interest. The gallery itself is nearly 200 square metres.” It means we’ve got a large gallery it means we can have a dark room, one of the biggest in the country – it’s a huge darkroom, and we’ve got room for everything else. Then finally, stumbling upon a location nestled in Northern Geelong, 10 minutes from the CBD in an old industrial area, previously home to a mechanic and builder’s showroom, Craig found a home for Focal Point. Every place I looked at just required too much of a compromise with what I wanted to do.”Ĭraig Watson at his Focal Point Darlroom and Gallery. He mentions, “I looked at about 30 places to find somewhere suitable that did everything I wanted. I went and had a look around other dark rooms in Melbourne and looked at the industry and how things were going, and realized there’s actually a bit of growth happening,” notes Craig.īut being able to foster his vision in a perfect location wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies. So about three years ago, I was looking into what to do and I looked at analogue photography, old-school film photography, that sort of thing. “I pretty much wanted a total change to do something different. Having worked mostly in photojournalism for various newspapers and magazines, he was after a fresh start before opening Focal Point back in 2019. So, it is a pretty safe bet to say that photographer of 35 years, founder and owner of Focal Point, Craig Watson, is definitely not one to be camera shy. And if none of that good stuff sufficiently tickles your fancy, then read it again, because it should. The Studio, Darkroom and Gallery offers a unique space where complete photo newbies, hobbyists and professionals can come and hire, or be taught in the use of their industry-standard studio, as well as darkrooms, or browse world-class photo exhibitions, such as the upcoming ‘2020 Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Awards exhibition’. What’s better, the space is opening its doors to the tune of a plethora of exciting news and exhibitions, cementing its place as the city’s hub for both analogue and digital photography, offering a unique space and exciting services, that make it a one-of-a-kind location, not just in the state, but the country. Originally opening in 2019, only to be buffeted by the effects of lockdown and what is surely now the world’s most tired word – COVID-19, Focal Point Studio, Darkroom and Gallery is starting afresh and back open in Northern Geelong. The new hub of photography located in Northern Geelong offers all things film and digital photography, bringing world class art for locals to enjoy.
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