Photograms “A camera-less picture”
HistoryIn the 1920’s, about 80 years after the first camera photographs were made, photograms and print manipulations such as solarization became popular with the painter-photographers Man Ray and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. They were trying to explore the “pure” action of light in space.
VOCABULARY:
Photogram – a type of contact print, made by placing objects, instead of just a negative, on a piece of light-sensitive material and exposing it to light. Any object that comes between the light source and the sensitized material can be used. You can use two-dimensional objects like cut paper or various three-dimensional ones. Opaque objects will block the light completely leaving a hard-edged silhouette of the object, where as transparent or translucent objects such as glass or plastic will bend the light rays.
INSTRUCTIONS:
VOCABULARY:
Photogram – a type of contact print, made by placing objects, instead of just a negative, on a piece of light-sensitive material and exposing it to light. Any object that comes between the light source and the sensitized material can be used. You can use two-dimensional objects like cut paper or various three-dimensional ones. Opaque objects will block the light completely leaving a hard-edged silhouette of the object, where as transparent or translucent objects such as glass or plastic will bend the light rays.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Arrange a series of textural objects of varying opacities on a piece of glass.
- Keep in mind: You are creating an interesting image with only blacks, whites, and variations of gray through the varying opacities and placement of your objects.
- Overlap, layer and remove certain objects during exposure to add to the effect of your image/composition.
- Lay the piece of glass on the photo paper before exposing it to light – the glass will keep the paper from curling.
- Set the aperture on your enlarger to F5.6 or F8 (depending on the opacity of your objects).
- Expose your paper for at least 5-10 seconds (depending on the opacity of your objects) – to create a dark black on the fully exposed piece of paper.
- Remove the paper from under the glass.
- Place the paper in the Developer – following the chemical directions provided in your packet.
- Hand in (2) of your most interesting compositions.
- Compositions must range in value, variety of objects, and creative approach.
“Photograms” Printing Assignment
Note: These prints require only the use of the enlarger and various objects ranging in opacity to make an interesting composition/projection onto the photo-paper. Be willing to experiment!
2 Prints
GRADING:
§ Proper Technique/Creative Approach
§ Composition
§ Print Quality (full range of value)
§ Neatness/Presentation
§ One timed test strip included
Points Possible: 5 pts each / 10 POINTS
Due during 1st Portfolio Review
2 Prints
- Choose the best 2 compositions
- Each print must be distinguishably DIFFERENT
- Sizes: (2) 5x7
GRADING:
§ Proper Technique/Creative Approach
§ Composition
§ Print Quality (full range of value)
§ Neatness/Presentation
§ One timed test strip included
Points Possible: 5 pts each / 10 POINTS
Due during 1st Portfolio Review