With film cameras, every frame matters.
In an age where a photograph can be taken in seconds and shared instantly with thousands, The Slow Camera Exchange invites you to pause. We believe there is still magic in slowing down — taking the time to truly see, to feel the weight of a camera in your hands, and to watch an image appear like alchemy in the darkroom. It’s about more than nostalgia; it’s about reclaiming the joy of the process.
With film cameras, every frame matters. You choose your moment carefully, adjusting the light and lens with intention. Each click becomes a conversation between you and your subject, where even small variations can transform the result. This slower pace fosters creativity and patience — qualities often lost in our hyper-digital age. The Slow Camera Exchange is a living tribute to Hermann Marbe, a Cork-based photographer whose inclusive approach to the arts touched many lives.
Hermann Marbe
Photographer, Collector, and Creative Visionary
Hermann Marbe’s love for photography extended far beyond the images he created. He was fascinated by the mechanics of cameras themselves — from humble plastic lenses capable of surprising beauty to precision optics like Zeiss glass, or lenses designed for print reproduction and even helicopter surveillance.
He collected cameras from all over the world — South America, the US, Japan, Europe — hunting through flea markets, photography shops, and hidden corners of small businesses for rare treasures. Many were classic photography tools, built to last, each carrying its own history. Hermann’s curiosity drove him to repair, adapt, and combine equipment to match his artistic vision.
Beyond his technical skill, Hermann was deeply committed to his community. He shared his passion through workshops and collaborations, working with children, older adults, and marginalized groups. In 2013, he partnered with New Moon Dance Company to merge analog photography with dance in a one-of-a-kind creative performance.
Partners in Life, Collaborators in Art
Hermann and Jess Marbe
Throughout their life together, Hermann and Jess Marbe blended their talents, creating spaces where art was for everyone. Jess, a socially engaged artist, shared Hermann’s belief that creativity should be inclusive and accessible.
After Hermann’s passing, Jess founded The Slow Camera Exchange to honor his legacy and ensure his remarkable camera collection continued to inspire others. The project is also a way to continue their collaboration into the present.
Working alongside Cork Film Centre and Cork City Library Service, a program was established in 2022 where these cameras could once again be used — not as museum pieces, but as tools for new stories and fresh perspectives. This program is our borrowing camera library.
Giving Back – Sharing Cameras, Stories, and Creativity
When Hermann died in May 2018, Jess decided to share his collection in the most meaningful way possible: by putting it into people’s hands. Today, thanks to The Slow Camera Exchange, members of Cork City Library can borrow an analogue camera just like a book.
The process is simple. Those interested in borrowing a camera first attend an induction day, where they learn the basics and gain confidence using analogue equipment. After completing the session, participants are ready to borrow a camera and begin shooting film through the library.
Our Camera Library features a wide range of analogue cameras, along with educational kits designed for beginners. These are available through programmes run periodically in libraries and community spaces across Cork City.
This initiative celebrates creativity, preserves the art of slow photography, and keeps Hermann’s vision alive—one carefully composed frame at a time. Discover the Camera Library, explore the collection, and begin your own analogue journey.
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