Photograms – Its
easy to get AN
image, hard to get
THE image.
Laszlo Moholy-Nagy
Hungarian, 1895-1946
Formal Analysis:
Analysis composition.
1st Paragraph = Describe = WHAT
do you see = Objects/subject and
the art elements
2nd paragraph = Analyze = How
the artist arranged composition
using the art elements and
principles of design.
3rd paragraph = Technical
interpretation: = How the artist
constructed the image.
Photogram, 1926
László Moholy-Nagy (American, born
Hungary, 1895–1946)
Gelatin silver print
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Drill:
Man Ray
Sketch image.
Based on your knowledge of
photography thus far is this a
positive or a negative?
Hypothesize how this image
was made.
Laszlo Moholy-Nagy
Hungarian, 1895-1946
Lazslo Maholy-Nagy
You may regret to hear but I have freed myself
from the sticky medium of paint, and am
working directly with light itself,
Rayogram
Images by contemporary
artists
Bill Westhiemer
Anne Ferran
Wendy Mukluk
Lauren
Hudson
Eva Shaderowfsky
Things to consider…

Choose the objects with interesting shapes for your photogram. Look
for: Jagged edges, holes in the object, variations in contours, some 2d and some three dimensional

Choose objects of different transparencies
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Consider our modern nature juxtaposed against man made
Think carefully about how you place the objects on the paper. Look at
both the negative and positive spaces created by the objects. Skinny,
linear objects may be used to connect your shapes and create
movement through the composition.
THINK DESIGN PRINCIPLES!
BALANCE
EMPHASIS/DOMINANCE
CONTRAST/VARIETY/GRADATION
UNITY/HARMONY
Photograms Link
Challenge
Examine this student
composition.
 What objects can you
identify?
 What art elements
are important?
 What design principle
is used to organize
this composition.?
Describe the exposure and
the results of the can opener
images.
Speculate on what Fstop and
times where used and what
happens with a greater
exposure.
Today
Developing film
 Contact Sheets: Light and Shadow
 Photoshop Lesson three: Contrast finished
and posted to Mahara extra credit
 Begin PhotoShop layers assignment 1
 Photoshop Lesson 4
 Researching/inspiration for Photograms.

Student Examples
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Student Examples
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
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CRITERIA
Objective:
 One unified constructivist composition: NARTURE juxtaposed with MAN MADE.
Composition
 Objects touch and go off the edge on 2 or more sides to connect and create a path/movement
through the composition
 Avoid just “filling” the format, but have arranged objects to create a balance of positive and
negative spaces.
 Objects are selected for a variety of sizes and opacities and textures to establish
contrast/interest
Darkroom Skills and Techniques:
 Print has a wind range of values
 Uses of contact easel to establish sharp detail (flat objects)
 Use of one of the following experimental printing techniques
 Contact print: one image is inverted to a positive
 Multiple exposure: Moving and exposing objects more than once on the same piece of
paper
 Experimental overlapping
Presentation
Print demonstrates care and craftsmanship, avoiding unwanted marks, chemical stains, scratches,
dust or other distracting elements.
 Carefully mounted using correct procedures
 Scanned on placed in digital portfolio.
TODAY
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Scanning 35 mm images: 2/8.
Brainstorming ideas for photograms
Developing film for Light and Shadow.
Group A-L photograms due 2/8
Group M-Z Layer assignments
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Statue of Liberty: 2/5
Face: 2/6
Surreal : 2/11
Light and Shadow Contact sheet 2/6
Mounting photos
Cliché Verre
Diane Escott, Untitled
Landscape, 1973
K.E. Duffin, The Stalwart King.,
2005
Barbara DeGenevieve
Bruguiere, Francis
Photograms DRILL
Read instructions.
Choose objects that have interesting
shapes, textures, and/or transparencies.
Think about how you want to arrange these
objects. Arrange them on plain white paper
in the classroom before you go into the
darkroom.
Set up your contact easel, set the enlarger
head to 17, and your f/stop to f8. Focus the
light and set your timer for 10 seconds.
Try a test strip. Arrange your objects on the
photographic paper, and make your
exposure on a test strip.
Laszlo Moholy-Nagy
Hungarian, 1895-1946
Process your paper normally.
Assess your test strip. Do you need
more time? less time?
HOW IT IS DONE






Choose objects that have interesting shapes,
textures, and/or transparencies.
Think about how you want to arrange these objects.
Arrange them on plain white paper in the classroom
before you go into the darkroom.
Set up your easel, set the enlarger head to 17, and
your f/stop to f8. Focus the light and set your timer
for 7 seconds.
Try a test strip. Arrange your objects on the
photographic paper, and make your exposure on a
test strip.
Process your paper normally.
Assess your test strip. Do you need more time?
less time?
DRILL


Sketch the image &
record the info
Based on the
assignment sheet and
presentation, describe
the process for
creating photograms
& cliché verre
negatives in your own
words
Man Ray 1920 Rayograph, “flower &
glove
Objective
Students will and apply technical knowledge of the creation of
photographic images.