Photograms• These can be described as ‘camera-less images’ which

are mainly produced via the direct action of light on photo-sensitive media, usually with objects and / or materials placed on top of the medium. You may also see them described as ‘Rayograms’, ‘Rayographs’,or light drawings.

• Some examples however may not even include objects but be derived solely from the action of light or chemicals (chemograms).

• Some may use a combination of all these factors.

Historical Images

William Henry Fox TalbotPhotogenic Drawing

One advantage of the discovery of the Photographic Art will be, that it will enable us to introduce into our pictures a multitude of minute details which add to the truth and reality of the representation, but which no artist would take the trouble to faithfully copy from nature. -William Henry Fox Talbot

Early examples of Fox Talbot’s photograms of plants and lace.

Anna Atkins (Botanical studies – 1840)

Sir John Herchel, a friend of Atkins and her father, invented the ‘cyanotype’ (or blue print) photographic process in 1842. Within a year, Atkins applied the process to solve the difficulties of making accurate drawings of scientific specimens and self-published the first instalment of her book British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions.

Man Ray

• Man Ray wanted to distract viewers from the literal interpretation of his photographs and to encourage a more subjective and personal understanding of imagery. "After all, photography is not restricted to the mere role of a copyist," he said in 1926.

Sequins Smoke

Lazlo Moholy-Nagy

Contemporary Examples

Many contemporary artists and photographers still use and experiment with ‘camera-less’ images.

In recent years, in response to the onslaught of digital

technology, artists are clearly re-discovering the creative potential of this form of image making.

They are also pushing the boundaries further in terms of

what is possible, along with refining the contextual development of ‘meaning’ that can be interpreted in these works.

Stephanie Valentin

Angela Easterling

David Dennison

Glenn Friedel

Garry Fabian Miller

Large Scale Triptych – Action of light on colour photographic paper

Keith Carter (Homage to Fox Talbot)

Keith Carter