Renaissance Court Gallery, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, Illinois

Reception: September 24, 3 - 5pm

The Big Picture: Midwest Large Format Asylum: Large Format Photography, opening this August at the Renaissance Court Gallery in the Chicago Cultural Center.

This exhibition brings together more than 70 works by photographers from the greater Midwest and beyond, celebrating the enduring vitality of large format photography — from historic view camera traditions to contemporary artistic practice. The show is organized by the Midwest Large Format Asylum, an association of large-format photographers, dedicated to continuing the traditional practices of large format photography and expanding them.

At a time when digital photography and AI increasingly shape how images are made, The Big Picture invites us to slow down and consider the continued power of craft, attention, material process, and the hand-made image.

The exhibition will also include artist talks, demonstrations, hands-on workshops, a cyanotype workshop, a large format self-portrait experience, and the Chicago premiere of George Tice: Seeing Beyond the Moment.

Curated by Hillary Irene Johnson, MFA

Organized by the Midwest Large Format Asylum

Alongside The Big Picture, we’re offering a full series of public programs exploring large format photography — from historic processes to hands-on experiences. Visitors can attend talks and demonstrations on wet-plate collodion, long-term documentary work, historic and contemporary cameras, cyanotype, photographic motion, and more. There will also be chances to make your own cyanotype and even create a large format self-portrait using a 4 × 5 view camera.

Some workshops require advance registration. All events are free and open to the public at the Renaissance Court Gallery at the Chicago Cultural Center

Workshops and Presentations

1. History of Large Format Photography and the Collodion Process

Thursday, August 13, 12:30–2:30 pm

Wet-plate collodion is one of the most important early photographic processes in the history of large format photography.

Join Eric Nelson and D Anson Brody for a lecture and demonstration exploring the history, material beauty, and technical demands of this process, which requires each glass or metal plate to be prepared, exposed, and processed while still wet.

2. Creating a Long-Term Photo Documentary

Monday, August 17, 12:30–2:30 pm

What does it mean to build a photographic project over decades?

Chris Walker has spent more than 30 years photographing youth culture through rural county fairs. In this program, he will discuss the technical, aesthetic, and conceptual choices that shaped the work, including his move from 35mm film to an 8 × 10 inch view camera.

3. Introduction to Large Format Photography: What’s the Big Deal?

Thursday, August 20, 10:30 am–12:30 pm

Why do artists still choose large format photography in a digital age?

This introductory program brings together historic and contemporary cameras, including Deardorff, Crown Graphic, Cirkut, stereo, and ultra-large format cameras. Photographers will share their cameras, examples of their work, and what continues to draw them to this slow and powerful format.

4. Taking Your Own Large Format Self-Portrait

Friday, August 21, 10:30 am–1:30 pm

Experience large format photography firsthand.

In this hands-on program, Francis Fullam will guide participants in making their own self-portrait with a 4 × 5 inch view camera and direct positive paper. Photographs will be developed on site at the Renaissance Court Gallery.

Space is limited to 20 participants, and advance registration is required. Register by calling the Renaissance Court Gallery (312) 744-4550.

5. Making Your Own Cyanotype

Thursday, September 10, 10:15 am–12:30 pm

Make your own cyanotype.

Cyanotype is one of the earliest photographic processes, known for its distinctive deep blue color. In this hands-on workshop, Ryan Zoghlin will introduce the process and provide materials for participants to assemble and expose their own images using sunlight.

Participants will take home their finished cyanotype prints.

Space is limited to 24 participants, and advance registration is required. Register by calling the Renaissance Court Gallery (312) 744-4550.

6. Screening of George Tice: Seeing Beyond the Moment

Monday, September 21, 12:30–2:00 pm

Join us for the Chicago premiere of George Tice: Seeing Beyond the Moment.

This 72-minute documentary offers an intimate look at the life, process, and artistic development of George Tice, an influential postwar photographer known for his work with the 8 × 10 inch view camera.

7. Reception: Come Meet The Big Picture Photographers

Thursday, September 24, 3:00–5:00 pm

Join us for the public reception for The Big Picture.

Meet participating photographers, view the exhibition, and learn more about the cameras, processes, and ideas behind the works on display. The exhibition includes large format photographs spanning abstraction, landscape, portraiture, still life, documentary photography, and more.

Light refreshments will be served.

8. Expanding Photographic Possibilities

Monday, September 28, 12:30–2:00 pm

How can still photography reveal motion?

Seder Burns will discuss the history of photographic motion studies, from Eadweard Muybridge to contemporary experiments, and introduce his current work with a large format digital scanning camera he developed.

This program explores new ways of seeing movement, time, and photographic possibility.