Stencil Photograms

Photograms come in all types, your "imagination is your only limitation"! I've even had students use crickets as the subject for found object photograms!

For our second photogram, we will cut a stencil out of black construction paper. Instead of placing objects on the enlarging paper, you will use your paper stencil. We will compress the enlarging paper and stencil together using a contact printer. F-stop and time will remain the same for this project.

Subject:
The subject for this image is "geometric shapes" or a design created out of your "initials".

Objective: 
Practice using an x-acto knife, continued practice with the enlarger and print developing process.

Thins to consider:

• Design your image so the stencil won't fall apart.
• Always cut away from your holding hand.
• If the paper starts to tear, ask me for a new blade.
• Keep your cuts as clean as possible.

Here is an example of a "geometric shape" photogram. Notice the edges are kept intact.

Found Object Photogram

Found Object Photogram

Photograms, sometimes known as "shadow pictures" were first created by American photographer Man Ray. The images are made by positioning objects over enlarging paper and then projecting light on them. Areas that are completely covered will develop out white and those areas illuminated by the enlarger light will be black. Different values of gray will occur when some light passes through and object or wraps around a curved object.


Assignment: Your first photogram is a free choice image. The main purpose of this project is to let you become familiar with the use of the enlarger and the print developing process. You choose the objects, but make sure you consider the composition you create.

• Make sure it is balanced Symmetrically, Asymmetrically or Radially.
• Try to have an even  balance of white and black areas in your image.
• Make sure objects "bleed" off the edge of your image. "Avoid a "fish tank" image"..

Steps:

1. Raise the enlarger head as high as it will go.
2. Open the lens to F8
3. Set the timer to 10 seconds
4. Place a piece of enlarging paper (5x8) on the base of the enlarger.
5. Arrange you objects in a pleasing composition.
6. Expose the paper.
7. Develop out the paper. 
• Developer 2 minutes
• Stop Bath 30 seconds
• Fixer 2 minutes
• Wash 2 minutes
• Air dry print or run it through the print dryer.