Photograms (aka camera-less photography)/ Tutorial & Art

Photograms Tutorial (aka camera-less photography)

(apologies for the lack of step images, I could not take photos in the darkroom) 

'Beach Mystery' by Buddy Summer

Tools and equipment:

• Four chemistry trays
• Four tongs
• Black and white photographic paper
• Items for translation into a photographic result
• Access to running water
• Photographic safelight
• Photographic enlarger
• Chemicals- black and white paper developer, stop bath and fixer
• Light and timer

Health and safety:

• Wear an apron to avoid spillage on clothes
• Wear gloves to prevent contact with the chemicals
• Be mindful of others around you
• Don't let light filter through into the room

Set up your area:

• Tray one- photographic developer chemical. Tray two- stop bath. Tray three- fixer.
  Tray four- water.
• Set each tong beach tray.
• Have the objects on hand (before each turn) and equipment set up, e.g. Enlarger
  standing with the light off and timer ready.
• Prepare a space to dry

'Tea Time' by Buddy Summer

Steps:

First, locate yourself in a dark room and make sure that no natural light is intruding. Set up the photographic enlarger and place the paper beneath; glossy side up. Have a play with the composition of the objects for translation to print and once happy with the layout rest them on 
the paper. In the studio, I had access to a light and timer- set the timer for 13 seconds.

'Discovery in the Lounge' by Buddy Summer

Next, remove the objects from the paper and take your photo paper over to the chemistry trays,
place in the first tray of developer. Make sure the paper is covered in the chemicals by pressing down with the tongs. Leave your photo in the first tray for 2 minutes.

After the two minutes is up, use the tongs to remove the paper from the first tray and delicately
slide it into the tray of stop bath. Press down with the tongs and leave for 30 seconds. (This
chemical stains clothes) Use the tongs to remove the paper from tray two after the time is up and place it into the third tray of fixer for five minutes.

The fourth and final tray should be filled with water. Use the tongs to place your paper in this
tray for ten minutes. Once the time is, up leave your paper to dry; you are free to touch the
paper with your hands by the last tray.

'Monochrome Mysteries' by Buddy Summer

Note that the photographic paper should not be exposed to sunlight before the process. The
below is what happens when the paper is exposed to light for too long during the transfer
process.

Happy working!

(This is the way that I learnt and it worked really well)