More-Than-Human Photography Studio Portraits

Join us in the More-Than-Human Photography Studio at Islington Mill for a unique portrait experience illuminated by LED light, powered by microbial activity within fuel cell 'mud' batteries created during earlier Living Light Lab workshops. Photography takes place in a shipping container within Incredible Edible Salford's community garden, as a lead-up activity for Entangled Light, a public event for Being Human Festival 2026.

Photographer Helen McGhie will create portraits, supporting sitters to explore relationships between energy, the urban garden, people and the more-than-human world. Sitters will receive a free digital copy of their portrait. Selected portraits will be showcased during Being Human Festival.

Please note that portrait photography slots are 40 minutes in total; you can choose and book your preferred time slot.

During this engaging session, participants will:

• Sit for a long-exposure photograph illuminated entirely by soil-powered LED light in the immersive More-Than-Human Photography Studio
• Explore ideas of sustainable energy, ecology and more-than-human agency through photography
• Be invited to bring props that reflect their relationship with gardens or nature
• Reflect on the experience of being photographed, contributing to a creative research project.

Entangled Light activities are led by artist-researchers Helen McGhie (Senior Lecturer, Photography) and Antony Hall (Lecturer, Future Media Production) from Manchester Metropolitan University’s School of Digital Arts.

Who is this workshop for?
Adults and young people with an interest in photography, art, ecology, sustainability, community gardens or creative technology.

What to bring
Participants are welcome to dress as they wish and bring objects that help tell a story about their relationship with gardens, nature or place.

Accessibility
Islington Mill is fully accessible, although this activity takes place in a shipping container which does have a step up to get inside. Please contact [email protected] if you have any access requirements.
Consent
Outcomes from this activity will contribute to the final Entangled Light exhibition at Islington Mill in November. Please see this information sheet which outlines the consent process: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/16ow246s28tv4xuo1mymn/Participant-Information-Sheet-Entangled-Light-Adults.pdf?rlkey=nerpep9uym7cnls6elrway4xn&st=q790q596&dl=0

Entangled Light: A More-Than-Human Photography Studio is supported by , the Media and Digital Cultures research group at Manchester Metropolitan University, Incredible Edible Salford and Islington Mill.

This activity contributes to Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5–14 November 2026. Being Human is led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see .