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 gain scientific record of natural objects . Anna Atkins was working at the very dawn of photographic development. Her work can be seen below:

British Algae: Cyanotype Impression, 1843 Poppies: Cyanotype Impression, 1850

Phase 2: Artistic Expression

The second period was a rediscovery of the artistic potential as illustrated by Christian Schad, Man Ray and Lazlo Moholy-Nagy in the Dada, Surrealist and Constructivist periods of art.

Christian Schad, “Schadograph” 1918 Christian Schad, “Schadograph” 1918

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

Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, “Self Portrait”, 1926 “Self Portrait”, 1926

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 Adam Fuss and Susan Derges use the very Artist such as Adam Fuss and Susan Derges 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

experiment.experiment.

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

SummerySummery::

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

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

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

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

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