Assignment 1 - Photogram

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This is a non-camera assignment designed to introduce some basic characteristics of light- sensitive materials and the black and white laboratory. Important considerations follow:

COMPOSITION – The way your picture is assembled. Create a variety of lines, shapes and textures with the objects you use to make your photograms. Use the entire piece of photo paper and compose from the edges IN, not the center out. Light shapes pop out visually, dark ones recede. The print is 2 dimensional, but you can give the images a sense of depth and 3 dimensionality.

TONALITY – The range of tones from white through gray to black. A good photogram will have a full tonal scale with all shades of gray/black/white represented. The achieve this you must use objects that are transparent, translucent and opaque. The greater the visual opacity, the lighter a mark it will make on the paper. Use a wide variety of opacities, textures and shapes when you create your photograms.

PHOTOGRAM SUBJECT MATTER – The objects you use to make your pictures. Try: sticks, twigs, leaves, grass, paper clips, string, rope, yarn, buttons, lace, saran, netting, tissue, wire, springs, pins, plastic or real flowers, tooth picks, candles, sequins, bottle caps, beads, nuts, salt, jewelry, bolts, screws, nails, coins, negatives, combs, curlers, keys, shower caps, see thru rulers, stencils, paper fans, scarves, hair, fabric, spools, tickets, clip art pages, magazine pages, insects, brushes, washers, screen, shells, glass, beads, the contents of your bedside table, anything of interest!

Bring 8x10” RC, variable contrast photographic paper, preferably glossy. DO NOT OPEN YOUR PAPER!! IT IS SENSITIVE TO ALL BUT DARKROOM SAFELIGHT. You must also have a hand towel at all times in the photo labs.

REQUIREMENTS: Two photograms minimum. One must be made with all objects stationary, the other must express movement.

SUPPLIES TO BRING TO THE 1ST PHOTOGRAM LAB

• 8x10” glossy photo paper, variable contrast

• hand towel

• opaque, transparent and translucent objects (see above)

Due at the beginning of class, January 30th, 2 - 8X10" prints