Experimental
Photographs
Photographs that go beyond the straight photograph using special
materials and or techniques.
These photographs are created in the camera or in the darkroom.
In class experiments you need to complete:
1) Combination print
from sandwich negatives
2) Multiple print from 2 negatives, 2 enlargers (or more)
3) In camera double
exposure with (make a small print)
For the assignment:
Shoot a new roll
of film including double exposures and frames to use to make an experimental
image.
Experiment with your
camera to create at least 6 double exposures in your camera on this roll.
These can be printed for the assignment if they turn out great, if not we just
need to see them on the contact sheet.
Finish the roll with images you can use for your portfolio.
Make one full size
experimental print using any one of the techniques we covered-
make a great print and title it.
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Darkroom Techniques----------
Paper negative print: a print of reversed values made by contact printing
a positive print on another piece of paper under glass just like making your
proper proof contact sheet. Contrast filters and burning & dodging can be
used. Make your positive print on paper without writing on the back.
ManRay Rayogram
(Photogram)
Photogram: a camera-less print made by shing enlarger light through transparent, translucent and opaque objects placed on photo paper. Moving objects during parts of the exposure can create overlapping and blended elements.
Uelsman- Floating
Multiple Printing: Combining two or more negatives on one print. Two or
more enlargers makes this easier. Test prints and drawings help with alignment-
burning & dodging might be necessary. Allowance needs to be made for different
areas of density in the negatives to make the images blend well. This technique
allows you to change the size of each image in the enlarger to fit together
appropriately.
Eddie
Negative Sandwich: Using several negatives on top of each other in the enlarger
carrier. There has to be clear or thin areas on the negtives to let light through
both. Because they are together in the enlarger- you cant alter the size
relationship between the images - you can shift them offset from each other.
Print the combination as if they were one negative.
---------------------In
Camera Techniques---------------------
Double or multiple exposure-
1)exposing the film more than once without advancing the film. Some cameras
have this as a built in feature, some need to be tricked to shoot the second
time without advancing the film.
2) opening the shutter (camera on tripod) in a darkened room and using
a spot or flashlight to paint with light on your subject.
3) Run the film through the camera twice. Mark how your film lines up
when you load your camera, shoot first exposures on the roll and then rewind
the film but not all the way. Reload the same film in the camera and make 2nd
exposures on top of the first.
Filters on the lens: there
are many commercial filters that attach to the front of the lens to modify the
light entering your camera. Some are colored to filter out different parts of
the spectrum. Yellow makes white clouds stand out
against a blue sky. Green makes green objects lighter (trees) and red objects
darker (on black and white film).
There are also filters that distort and add special efficts to the image- starburst,
diffusion etc.
You can use anything in front of your lens for special effect such as saran
wrap, nylon mesh, crinkled plastic---
Special Films: Infrared film
that is only sensitive to infrared (below red invisible) light- available in
rolls.
Orthochromatic film that is not sensitive to red light- can be used with a red
safelight. Orthochromatic film may be high contrast litho film or
continuous tone copy film. This film can be cut into small pieces and placed
inside your camera in the darkroom. This film can be developed in dektol (print
developer).
Paper negatives: in place of film, you can put pieces of your printing paper in your camera and make single or multiple exposures - experiment to get the right exposure.
There are countless other ways
to do experimental photography- these will get your imagination started.
Hand coloring - Bas relief - Cliché
verre - Sabattier effect - Liquid light - Collage - Pinhole camera - Mixed Media