Photograms and Rayograms

For our third 6X1 assignment, we will be taking strips of unexposed 16mm high contrast film (Kodak 7363) and exposing the strips using various techniques. One of the techniques with which we will experiment is laying random objects (lighters, salt, beads, paper clips, etc.) on the unexposed filmstrip, flashing the filmstrip with low-level light (I find that cell phone light works well) and then processing the strip of film under a red safe-light. Our processed strip will appear as a negative. In other words, white areas on the filmstrip will indicate where the flashed light was blocked from the filmstrip and black areas will indicated where light hit the filmstrip unobstructed. The shades of grey will indicate translucent areas on the object that allowed some light to pass through to the filmstrip.

Below is an image of a photogram using a very similar technique to what we'll be using in class. The main difference is that the artist, whose work is pictured below, placed objects on photo paper that had dimensions exponentially larger than the dimensions with which we'll be working with (the 16mm frame). Oh, and another difference: the photogram below has been toned (something we'll talk about later) blue.



So, for example, we would have a very different experience seeing the lemon slices projected on 16mm film than we do viewing the picture, above. If we were to lay these lemon slices on 16mm film and process accordingly, we might see magnified chunks of lemon slices flashing by - a bit of a rind here, some pulp there. For the most part, the lemon slices would be abstracted. Keep this in mind when choosing the size of the objects you will bring to class for this exercise.

All 6X1ers should CLICK HERE and print out the Assignment 3 guidelines.