Sometimes it’s easier to purchase a Nikon D90 Camera than it is to find someone who can show you how to turn its lens into da Vinci’s paintbrush.  And, if you are fortunate enough to find someone and some place to cultivate your photography skills, often times the monetary cost is absurd. 

Project Basho is a place where aspiring photographers can go to hone their skills. Project Basho is a photography resource with a communal dark room, located at 1305 Germantown Avenue in Old Kensington (Northern Liberties, about 2 blocks from the Piazza at Schmidt's).  It’s one of the only (if not the only) photography resource centers in Philly that houses every type of photo development and processing. Basically, you can shoot something with an HD digital camera and manipulate the prints to the point that it looks like it was taken in 1895.

Founded by Tsuyoshi (Yoshi), Project Basho also houses classes, workshops, private lessons, exhibits and a community of talented photographers who bounce off each other’s talents. It’s a great place for beginners to learn photography and for experts to grow their craft and find inspiration.  And, the prices won’t break your wallets.

Once you are able to take advantage of sound resources, it’s now your job to perfect your craft.  Grisha Enikolopov, one of the managers at Project Basho, brought up world renown photographer, Henri Cartier-Bresson and his concept of the decisive moment.  Cartier-Bresson said that a scene has one second where all compositional elements are in perfect unity and it is the photographer’s job to not miss it.  This comes with practice, which is why Henri Cartier-Bresson also stated that your first 10,000 photos are your worst.  Just think how great photo number 10,001 will be.

So, if you're looking to up your photography skills, definitely check out this place.