about me

About me

After studying photography in Budapest, I moved to Berlin in 2007, where I have been the apprentice of fine-arts photographer Jeff Cowen for many years. While there, I was trained in the art of traditional silver black and white printing of large format photographs on a masterful level, including numerous alternative processes. I then became a professional printer; in the last few years I have printed for international artists and their exhibitions, and I also conduct printing and portfolio workshops in the darkroom. I am also diligently working on my own personal photographic work, which you can see here: www.csillaszabo.com

Although I’m not against digital photography, and I admit the great possibilities in it, I can’t help but love analog photography – especially the darkroom part of it. Even though this craft requires a lot of time and is expensive to do, I find it beautiful. First of all, I can touch and smell all the materials: they are real, and when they are properly handled, apart from a fire or water disaster, they cannot disappear. I perform every step with my own hands – one could label my work “handmade.” Even after several years, I’m still amazed at how the picture comes out on a blank sheet of paper, how I can see the grain through the magnifier and how different chemicals and different methods can bring about completely different results from the same negative. I receive great joy from playing this magician role when I finally achieve the proper, balanced dodging and burning for my work and, after a long day in the dark room, I finally see the final prints on the light, drying on the glass: clean, amazingly flat, and ready to entertain viewers for longer than I will live. I bring the attitude of love for my work to my workshops, in addition to the technical aspects.

I speak fluent English, so I hold my workshops in English, but I understand German as well, so if your English is not the best, we can still easily communicate in the classes.

Hope to see you soon!

Csilla