Kanta.Studio Darkroom– December
Book Launch– November
Projek Sekaligus- September

Kanta.Studio promotes the art & craft of the box camera practise through workshops, and road tours around Peninsular Malaysia. With over 12 large format cameras of various builds, and mobile darkroom tents, Jeffrey Lim is able to setup a mobile photo studio practically anywhere. Spending the last few years travelling locally & abroad on art research programmes, he has acquired invaluable experience, processing instant prints in the field. 

Four workshop modules from making instant portraits, photo art printing, building pinhole cameras, to self-publishing are available for commission. And with recurring monthly road tours, bringing the instant portrait booth to localised events. Starting with Penang, with the hope to venture to other cities including Ipoh, Melaka, Johor, Kota Bahru and across the seas to Borneo as well.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jeffrey has made plans for a routine road tour throughout the Peninsular, starting with Penang. 

With over 12 large format cameras of various builds, and mobile darkroom tents, Jeffrey Lim is able to setup a mobile photo studio practically anywhere.

list of workshop cameras
#1 Interchange 3x5"
#4 Woodie 4x5"
#9 Field graphic 4x5"
#8 Intrepid 8x10"
#10 Tangki 4x5"
#11 Toyol camera 4x5"
#12 Russkie камера 5x7"
#13 Khemah Kamera 20x24"
# Kodak 2A  3x5"
# Ansco 2x3"
# Kodak six-20 R 2x3"
# Kodak six-20 W 2x3"

Workshop & road tour

Workshop module– The workshops covers the basics of photography, from the creation of a projected image, to the printed photograph. Experience the workings of the box camera, the hacking methods & alternative processes with just the basic tools & materials available. The four workshop modules are– Pinhole & the simple camera; Instant Portrait with Kanta Box Kamra; Art printing with BW photo paper; 101 Photobook publishing.

<On hold till darkroom build completed>

 

 

Honda Cub EX5 built for field work & Peninsular road tour

Road tour – Holding monthly portrait booth at recurring localised events, using a mix of box cameras & large formats to produce instant prints. Private sessions are available as well. Starting with Penang, and venturing to other cities, including Ipoh, Melaka, Johor, the East Coast and across the seas to Borneo. Venues include– Ilham Gallery KL, StellarKL / RexKL, Penang Tropical Spice Garden; Penang Hin Bus Depot Sunday Bazaar.

<On hold until darkroom build completed>

Upcoming road trip–
Kuala Lumpur

Upcoming events

 

 

Book release, 25th November 2023- Invisible Future, Facing the Visible Past – Exhibition essay booklet on Malaysian photobook exhibition, 32 pages. 

Photobook launch, 25th November 2023- Tempok My Protector – Photo book publication on the works and life of Shima Sidek of Kampung Mikang, Muadzham Shah, Pahang. As an indigenous of the Jakun tribe, native to Peninsular Malaysia, she photographs and reflects upon herself and importance of Tempok as part of her cultural heritage.

Kanta.Studio darkroom, 4th quarter 2023– work in progress. Opening up a basic darkroom for rental/ workshops, training. All my darkroom equipment collection finally seeing some permanence and use. Time to pass on the knowledge and expand the darkroom printing craft here in KL.

Current projects 

Potret Jalanan – (Street Portraits) an initiative to explore the possibilities of street box cameras in Kuala Lumpur city. A pilot to a program I would like to start, on creating a training workshop and box camera production. Creating a new street art culture with box camera portraiture. Starting with getting a street artist permit from the city council authority. #potretjalanan @potretjalananjef <current>

 

Instant Colour Portraits– First attempts at doing instant portraits in colour using the RA4 reversal process to produce a colour positive print instantly. The results were partially successful, getting acceptable colour balance is still a challenge. Will be running more test and make it available as an option in future events. <current>

 

Darkroom equipment sale– Refurbished specialised equipment for sale, mainly photographic enlargers and all darkroom accessories. Sold using Carousell, find the listings here. <Projek Sekaligus>

Schedule & map

 

 

Key Upcoming trips

Jeffrey Lim / contact

 

Jeffrey Lim is a photography artist behind the art & research project Kanta Portraits. He has made unique box cameras that produce black & white portraits as part of his art practise. By merging the traditional practises of ‘large format’ camera and darkroom printing, he has intuitively made cameras that can print instantly, all within a box. 


This century old practise of street box cameras has seen a revival around the world, and been aptly named as the living form of photography. Jeff has now ventured into creating workshops to pass on the practise and knowledge in order to share and create a continuity of this art form in Malaysia. 

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instagram _kanta.studio
email kanta.studio.my@gmail.com
for bookings, event & collaboration


 

member of the Kotak Kamera Trio. A collective of three box camera practitioners, photographers, camera builders, darkroom artists based in Malaysia.

Nuestros primeros socios internacionales del Foto Club Lambe Lambe.  International partner of FotoClube Lambe Lambe, Brasil.

Supported by Ilford Photo UK and Srishti Digital Life, Malaysia.