The resurgence of interest in analog photography post-pandemic has sparked the creation of the Savannah Center for Photography, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering appreciation for photography and providing resources and education. This new venture, led by Josh Yates, a photographer with a budding national career, aims to bring back the community darkroom and workshop space in the heart of the Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District. Yates' passion for photography was ignited at a workshop in Yosemite with Alan Ross, assistant to the famed Ansel Adams, and he believes that the darkroom experience is essential for photographers to explore their craft. The center's inaugural show, SCP Presents, features works by board members, photographer friends, and acquaintances, with all proceeds donated to the nonprofit. Yates' own photography career has been impressive, with his work included in group shows and awarded third place in the 2025 SlowExposures Festival. His chosen subject matter is abandoned spaces, and he shoots in black and white, creating beautifully bleak images. The Savannah Center for Photography offers a community darkroom, gallery, and workshop space, with plans for a larger digital lab, matting and framing areas, and alternative process exposure areas. Yates envisions classes for beginners to advanced photographers and a monthly critique group. The center's grand opening and show SCP Presents is on Friday, June 26, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 2205 Price Street. Personally, I think that the Savannah Center for Photography is a welcome and energizing addition to the art scene, offering a unique opportunity for photographers to explore their craft and connect with the community. What makes this particularly fascinating is that it brings back the community darkroom and workshop space, which is essential for photographers to explore their craft and develop their skills. In my opinion, the center's focus on analog photography and education is a refreshing change in the digital age, and I am excited to see how it will contribute to the local art scene. From my perspective, the center's grand opening and show SCP Presents is a must-see event for anyone interested in photography and the arts. One thing that immediately stands out is the center's commitment to providing resources and education for photographers, which is a rare and valuable offering in the community. What many people don't realize is that the center's focus on analog photography and education is a refreshing change in the digital age, and it offers a unique opportunity for photographers to explore their craft and develop their skills. If you take a step back and think about it, the center's grand opening and show SCP Presents is not just an event, but a celebration of the art of photography and the community that supports it. This raises a deeper question: how can we encourage more people to explore their creative passions and contribute to the local art scene? A detail that I find especially interesting is that the center's focus on analog photography and education is not just a trend, but a movement that is gaining momentum in the digital age. What this really suggests is that there is a growing appreciation for the art of photography and the community that supports it, and the Savannah Center for Photography is at the forefront of this movement. Personally, I am excited to see how the center will evolve and contribute to the local art scene in the coming years.
