Photography – A Beginner’s Guide – Photograms 3 – Process – An article by Goff James

Goff James, Untitled, Photogram, 2017

Experimenting with photograms and finding out what they are.

A photogram is a type of contact print, made without the use of a camera or negative,

A photogram is created by placing objects on light sensitive material and then exposing it to light.

Understanding the processes involved in creating photograms.

Darkroom

A darkroom is divided into two different areas with enough space for
exposure processing and
developing processes.

Goff James, Untitled, Photogram, 2017

Diagram Source Unstated


Exposure

To create the prints an enlarger is required. This provides an ideal concentrated light source for the exposure of the photogram and is also fitted with a red filter lens and attached timer.

Extend the enlarger until the light covers the paper’s area on the enlarger base.

Set the aperture to fully open.

Place a piece of photographic paper onto the enlarger base with the red filter in place under the lens.

This allows one to switch the enlarger on.

Create a composition of selected objects by arranging them on the surface of the paper.

Then expose the the whole sheet of paper, with the red filter removed, for 5 seconds.

Remember to align the photo paper precisely within the defined marker points.

Take the undeveloped photogram into the developing room and place it in tp prepared chemical trays to process.

Timings

Developer – 2 minutes
Stop Bath – 1 minute
Fixative – 2 to 3 minutes
Wash – 10 minutes

Developing

Stage 1: Developer

Place paper in the development tray.
Gently tap edges with tongs to ensure paper is fully submerged.
Rock the edge of the tray to agitate the paper – to ensure there are no bubbles.
Process for 2 minutes.

Stage 2: Stop Bath

Carefully remove the paper from the developer using tongs.
Allow to drip for 7 seconds.
Place the paper in the stop bath tray.
Gently tap edges with tongs to ensure paper is fully submerged.
Rock the edge of the tray to agitate the paper – to ensure there are no bubbles.
Process for1 minute.

Step 3: Fixer

Carefully remove the paper from the stop bath using tongs.
Allow it to drip for 7 seconds.
Place the paper in the fixer tray.
Gently tap the edges with tongs to ensure paper is fully submerged.
Rock the edge of the tray to agitate the paper – to ensure there are no bubbles.
Process for 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4: Water Rinse

Carefully remove the paper from the fixer using tongs.
Allow it to drip for 7 seconds.
Place the paper in the water bath.
Gently tap edges with tongs to ensure paper is fully submerged.
Allow running water to rinse the print for 10 minutes.
Dry print.

When I was experimenting with photograms I was fortunate that I had access to a dark room with all that was required in place.

How to build a dark room

If you have a photo editor don’t be afraid to experiment. This is your photography world you can do what you like.

I trust that you find some of these ideas useful within the context of your own photography. Don’t be afraid to experiment and allow different ideas to develop as you go along. Toyed with the use of monochrome and the effect and impact that it might have or not have on narrative creation.

Remember what I referred to in previous articles about taking photos; the same applies to considering your own and others photos.

Don’t be afraid to experiment.

Experiment! Experiment! Experiment!

There are no right or wrong answers or ways of doing it. 

Don’t worry about the theory and trying to remember everything about how to take or consider how to look at or stage a photograph.

Don’t worry about what you might think is right or wrong in talking about or taking photographs.

 Make mistakes. Laugh. Have fun. Just Enjoy the process.

Happy Photography. 

Photograms Attribution © Goff James, Art Photography Poetry

goffjamesart.wordpress.com

Art Photography Poetry

References

Andrew Johnson

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/making-a-photogram—traditional-darkroom-ideas-4688

https://www.slideshare.net