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Analog Large Format Gathering May 1 -3, 2026, Chesterton, Indiana, USA
Midwest Large Format Asylum (MWLFA) print review (known as Inspirational Weekend) is an informal gathering of large format photographers to present their photographs in a relaxed setting. It provides a platform for anon-competitive exhibition exclusively meant for appreciation and constructive feedback.
We are having our 19th annual gathering May 1 - 3, 2026 in Chesterton, Indiana, USA. We mainly communicate through our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/mwlfa
All with an interest in analog large format photography are welcome to join and attend this gathering. There are some who do not have Facebook access, so feel free to contact me with questions.
Bringing prints is not necessary. You are welcome to join us just to see and enjoy others' work. If you are bringing photographs to show, you may bring any number of prints for display (we have 20 easels). The only requirement is that the original, or some, capture must have been taken by you using a large format camera. Prints can be wet darkroom, digital or any alternate process. While it is preferred to have mounted prints (not in frames), it is not necessary. Mounting prints make it easier to handle and has an aesthetic appeal.
Registration starts at 8 am and the print viewing starts at about 8:30 am on Saturday, May 1 and runs till about 5:30 pm. There are pre-events on Friday for those who arrive early. There is no cost to attend.
Those who have photographs to show will have about 15minutes to talk about their work and answer questions. The order of presentation is random. Lunch will be ordered from a menu of sandwiches and salads. Lunch money is collected at the beginning of the day when you sign in. It typically costs about $25 per person, in cash.
We will also have an area set up for a trade/buy/sell table that you can donate or sell any photography related equipment/material.
For those who have not been to the MWLFA event before, you can get a good flavor of the event on Craig Sheaks' video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxGL06EnuNw
You could visit for the day on Saturday or take this opportunity to make your visit into a weekend trip. The Indiana Dunes National Park is very close.
Since we started meeting up in Chesterton many years ago, the event has always been held at Indian Oaks Best Western Motel. You can made reservations now at the link: https://www.bestwestern.com/.../hotel-rooms.15095.html...
This is a free event. However, donations of a few dollars are welcome to cover the conference room expenses. Otherwise, your meals and lodging are your only expenses.
If you are interested in attending or have any questions, please reply to this posting.
AGENDA:
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Friday, May 1: Pre-event Activity
Location: Meeting Room of the Best Western Indian Oak Hotel
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1:00 to 8:00 pm: "Camera show and tell". Bring and set up your large format camera and let us be gear-heads!
2:00 to 5:00 pm: A number of presentations are under consideration – masking; ground glass fabrication; etc.
5:00 pm Catalog of Works from 2025 Inspiraiton Weekend. Diwan Bhathal will introduce the first hard copy publication of MWLFA.
5:30 pm: Pizza party.
6:00 pm: "Photographer Obscura." Rick Tapio will introduce and show works by some not so well-known photographers
7:30 pm: On-line Publications of MWLFA and Revitalized website. The current facebook site has much content but Debejyo Chakraborty has been working to update and enhance the content of the website of the MWLFA and by adding online publications created by friends of MWLFA. He will talk about new features and potential direction for the site.
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Saturday, May 2: Inspiration Saturday
Location: Meeting Room of the Best Western Indian Oak Hotel
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8:00 am: Registration
8:30 am - 5:30 pm: Print showing and inspiration (with a break for lunch). We will take orders for lunch and it will be delivered to us.
6:30 pm: Dinner at Lucrezia Cafe – nicest Italian place in Chesterton. Dinner will be “Dutch”. It is at 428 S. Calumet, not far from our meeting place. Space is limited so we NEED to know of your interest in attending in advance. Here is a link to restaurant to see the menu...Lucrezia Café – Taste Northern Italian Cuisine in all its Casual Splendor (https://lucreziacafe.com/)
Please register for dinner in the Events section so we NEED to hear from you by April 15.
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Sunday, May 3: Shooting on Indiana Dunes
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Optional freeform photoshoot opportunity for whomever wants to go!
Friends of MWLFA Print Review Committee: Rick Tapio, Debejyo Chakraborty, Steve Bennett, Francis Fullam
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