Definition:

A photogram is a photographic image made without a camera by placing objects directly onto the surface of a photo-sensitive material such as photographic paper and then exposing it to light. The result is a negative shadow image varying in tone, depending on the transparency of the objects used. Areas of the paper that have received no light appear white; those exposed through transparent or semi-transparent objects appear grey.

Photograms have come through three phases in history:

1.Phase 1: To record the shapes sizes of natural objects2.Phase 2: As an artistic expression3.Phase 3: Contemporary art

Phase 1: To Record The first period of “photogram” exploration was to produce a scientific record of natural objects . Anna Atkins was one of the first involved in this scientific photographic development. Her work can be seen in these two images

British Algae: Cyanotype Impression, 1843

Poppies: Cyanotype Impression, 1850

Look closely at the two images; choose one to write about and then discuss it in pairs.Stick the image in your book and make notes on the following•AESTHETICS, TECHNIQUE & FUNCTION •COMPOSITION, DEPTH OF FIELD, TEXTURE & CONTRAST•OPACITY & TRANSPARENCY.

Practical activity: Creating a scientific photogram

Step oneChoose your objects wisely - remember to use a combination of opaque and transparent, vary the details and texture. Arrange them well to create maximum interest and show scientific detail.

Step two arrange th objects in a transparent walllet and balance it on a sheet of card, carry it to the darkroom; collect a sheet of light sensitive paper – at this point you must alllow NO RANDOM WHITE LIGHT NEAR THE PAPER Lay the wallet on top of the paper and under the enlarger – WITH THE RED SAFETY SCREEN ON

Step threeExpose the paper for up to 5 seconds – how long depends on the density of the objects. I will give you a smaller piece of paper to do a test run with, before you get the final LARGE paper. Remember it costs 40p a sheet so do not waste it.

Step four.Slide the photopaper out from under the wallet a carefully develop it in the trays in the wet-room. When it is fully washed take it outside and have a look.

Phase 2: Artistic Expression Christian Schad, Man Ray and Lazlo Moholy-Nagy in the Dada, Surrealist and Constructivist periods of art were very experimental. Artists of these movements and eras enjoyed using new technologies. They took the scientific technique and used it to create original works of art – expressions of their own artistic vision. They took a combination of objects and created a narrative (story) or emotion, images of mystery and passion

Christian Schad, “Schadograph” 1918 Christian Schad, “Schadograph” 1918 Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, “Self Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, “Self Portrait”, 1926 Portrait”, 1926

Man Ray, “No Title (comb, Man Ray, “No Title (comb, knife and needle)” 1922knife and needle)” 1922

In the examples Lazlo Maholy-Nagy used his own face, Man Ray used objects belonging to him and Schad was trying to be expressive in the style of the cubists.Look closely at the three images; choose one to write about and then discuss it in pairs.

Stick the image in your book and make notes on the following•AESTHETICS, TECHNIQUE & FUNCTION •COMPOSITION, DEPTH OF FIELD, TEXTURE & CONTRAST•OPACITY & TRANSPARENCY

Now complete the practical task on the next page.

Photograms stage two; artistic expression 1. generation of ideas;Make a table with two columns. In column A write words that describe your character, personality and habits or hobbies. In column B note ideas for objects or compostions that you could use to make an abstract self-portrait 2. Planning & experimentation;Make a collection of materials and objects that you could use – keep them in a bag or box and bring them to the lesson. Experiment with composition and sketch or photograph the different ideas – choose three to use in the darkroom3. Realisation and final production A;Take the objects into the darkroom, collecting one piece of photopaper at a time carry out each of your ideas. Be careful and clean with your work, don’t waste time or materials. Avoid white light at all costs.4. evaluation;When they are dry look at your images – did you achieve the image and effect that you had planned - if yes why/how, if no – why not/how did it fail?

5. Extension workWhen everyone has had a go you can go back into the darkroom and try to improve your final result.

SummarySummary::

You have seen a lot of examples of how photograms have been and are still You have seen a lot of examples of how photograms have been and are still being used. It is a simple way of recording objects textures and shapes. Just being used. It is a simple way of recording objects textures and shapes. Just because it is simple, doesn’t mean it has to be Dull! Consider the following:because it is simple, doesn’t mean it has to be Dull! Consider the following:

• TransparencyTransparency: Solid objects create a different effect to glass for example: Solid objects create a different effect to glass for example

• ShapeShape: How about creating your own shapes out of materials to enhance the : How about creating your own shapes out of materials to enhance the image...?image...?

• CompositionCompositionnn: A key factor of any art work. Try to make it visually : A key factor of any art work. Try to make it visually interesting. Thin about where to lay the objects. Practice this before your interesting. Thin about where to lay the objects. Practice this before your Exposure.Exposure.

Suggested materialsSuggested materials::Cut card (shapes), tissue paper, newspaper, bubble wrap, glass, flowers, Cut card (shapes), tissue paper, newspaper, bubble wrap, glass, flowers, liquid in jars, things in jars, yourself, soil, gravel, transparency sheets with liquid in jars, things in jars, yourself, soil, gravel, transparency sheets with writing or sketches....the limits are endless!writing or sketches....the limits are endless!

Phase 3: Contemporary re-discoveryPhase 3: Contemporary re-discovery

More recently, photogramists have utilized the photogram More recently, photogramists have utilized the photogram as a means of artistic expression to produce a wide as a means of artistic expression to produce a wide variety of designs and surreal imagery.variety of designs and surreal imagery.

Artist such as Artist such as Adam Fuss Adam Fuss and and Susan Derges Susan Derges use the very use the very basic science to create some complex artist works:basic science to create some complex artist works:

Adam Fuss, “Untitled”, 1994.Adam Fuss, “Untitled”, 1994.Fuss deals with themes such Fuss deals with themes such as Life, death, motion and as Life, death, motion and

experimentexperiment..

Susan Derges takes Susan Derges takes camera less camera less

photography to the photography to the limit. She uses limit. She uses

nature to create her nature to create her images. Working with images. Working with rivers, coasts and rivers, coasts and

sound waves.sound waves.

To the right:To the right:““Shoreline 5”, 1998Shoreline 5”, 1998

““River Bovey May 07” River Bovey May 07” 20072007