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 (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.
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
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.
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 can’t 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