ABOUT US

WE DEVELOP FILMS AND COMMUNITY

Hello! My name is Ivelin Penchev (or just Ivicha) — founder of RadLab, a photography studio based in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. RadLab Studio was born in 2019 out of my passion for alternative photography and my desire to create a space where like-minded people could learn, experiment, and inspire one another. Since I couldn’t find such a place nearby — I decided to build it. Since then, we’ve developed a community that works successfully across a broad range of artistic and scientific projects.

VISION
At RadLab, we believe that analog, alternative photography and historical photographic processes should be accessible to everyone. Our mission is to promote inclusion by providing public access to the studio, conducting scientific research, preserving and sharing knowledge and hands-on experience. We approach photography as a living, evolving art — blending tradition with innovation, exploring historical techniques and reimagining them through the lens of modern technological possibilities.
We actively share our know-how in partnerships with creators involved in a wide range of artistic and humanitarian projects. We believe in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration — between art, science, and education — where analog photography can contribute aesthetic, cultural, and social value. Since 2020, we’ve also developed an annual educational program, including a partnership with the Aprilov National High School to teach analog and alternative photography to young people.

MANIFESTO
We believe in knowledge as a shared resource.
In art.
In community as the foundation of creative progress.
RadLab is a space where people of different ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience come together to explore, share, and create. We strive to build connections — across generations, ideas, and disciplines. We encourage free expression and believe that the boldest ideas often lead to the most meaningful outcomes. We value tradition, but we’re not afraid to reinterpret it — always with an eye toward a more thoughtful and human future.

RadLab was founded on the belief that bold, unconventional thinking drives progress. We embrace the courage to pursue new directions, whether in artistic expression or scientific inquiry. Whether you’re just beginning to explore a concept or building upon years of research, this is a space for collaboration, learning and self-expression. If you are exploring new possibilities in analog or interdisciplinary practices, we would love to hear from you.