Photograms What are they and how do you do them?

The History The photogram technique is at least as old as the existence of photosensitive surfaces. The real breakthrough for the photogram constitutes the discovery of x-rays by Conrad Röntgen. In the arts, the photogram was explored rather late, after the first World War. The name “photogram” was introduced and established by László Moholy-Nagy in With respect to Christian Schad and Man Ray who used the technique before Moholy-Nagy, sometimes the technique is also called “schadography” or “rayograph”.

Basically…. The photogram is a highly differentiated shadow picture fixed directly on a light sensitive surface.

Actually… Almost everybody gets in touch with the photogram for the first time during a check-up with his doctor An x-ray is essentially a photogram. It is a fixed shadow of a three-dimensional object on a light-sensitive material.

You know.. Conceptually there is a controversy as to whether the photogram is merely an experimental camera-less branch of photography, or if it constitutes its own medium.

To make a photogram you need: Photo-sensitive surface (photo paper) A light source (enlarger or flashlight) Darkroom Photographic chemicals Objects to place on photo paper

The one’s who paved the way….

Man Ray (Emmanuel Rudnitsky)

Christian Schad

~Examples of Photograms~ Other artists

Emilio Amero

Markus Amm

Marcel Bovis –

Nino Migliori

Gyorgy Kepes

In your journals: List materials you think you would want to use for a photogram Think of items that –show you or your life in some way –Have varying levels of transparency –Interesting positive and negative space –Are handheld or smaller (paper is only 5x7) Plan out a general composition for your photogram

Artists and images found on: Look up other photogram artists on this website for inspiration for your own work