What are rayographs/photograms
A rayograph or photo-gram is a photographic image that is made without the use of any camera so it is a form of camera-less photography. It is made by placing objects onto certain light sensitive materials, after that it must be exposed to light. Where the objects have been left it will leave a shade ranging from white to grey. Any surface not covered will go black. It creates a surreal looking picture and it should look well if done properly. To do this procedure correctly it needs to be done in a darkroom or darkened room.
Various photographers have used and adapted this form of camera less photography in their own works. Firstly from 1843 where Anna Atkins made a book called "Photographs of British Algae : cyanotypes impressions". This was the first book to be illustrated with photographs, all the photos were photograms which were a product of Sir John Herschel process of cyanotypes. Also another important individual in this work was Man Ray who called them rayographs; he used unexpected negative effects as well as strange objects e.g spoons.
My opinion
I really like these photograms as they have a unique look to them; also they were used without cameras and they are still popular with photographers even today which shows the significance of this technique. One of the more well known photographers to use this technique was Man Ray who used this all throughout the 20th century producing various books which displayed his interesting skill.
The darkroom
Once you have done the first stages of the process there is still a complex solution that will help give your photograms its distinctive quality. Normally your darkroom will have the enlarger which manages the negative effect as well as the focus and the intensity/duration of light. You also have a safelight which helps illuminate the area and colour print paper. The primary chemicals that are used are developer which darkens the silver iodide from the paper and fixer has the job of removing any excess emulsion which is critical before exposing it to light.
Various photographers have used and adapted this form of camera less photography in their own works. Firstly from 1843 where Anna Atkins made a book called "Photographs of British Algae : cyanotypes impressions". This was the first book to be illustrated with photographs, all the photos were photograms which were a product of Sir John Herschel process of cyanotypes. Also another important individual in this work was Man Ray who called them rayographs; he used unexpected negative effects as well as strange objects e.g spoons.
My opinion
I really like these photograms as they have a unique look to them; also they were used without cameras and they are still popular with photographers even today which shows the significance of this technique. One of the more well known photographers to use this technique was Man Ray who used this all throughout the 20th century producing various books which displayed his interesting skill.
The darkroom
Once you have done the first stages of the process there is still a complex solution that will help give your photograms its distinctive quality. Normally your darkroom will have the enlarger which manages the negative effect as well as the focus and the intensity/duration of light. You also have a safelight which helps illuminate the area and colour print paper. The primary chemicals that are used are developer which darkens the silver iodide from the paper and fixer has the job of removing any excess emulsion which is critical before exposing it to light.
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My favourite image out of these ones would have to be the one of the film. As it is slightly translucent it looks like one small bit of film has been copied and spread around the image. The way it has been layed out makes it look very abstract and even though it is spread out in a crazy fashion it is almost like a plant of some sort. The one with letters on cards also interested me as it did not look real. It could have easily passed for a animation or something of that nature so it is quite eye catching. Also the cards stand out so clearly around the gun it seems as if this photo gram is trying to tell a story. I found all of these impressive and I will use similar techniques in later photo grams
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