Stencil Photograms

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

For our second photo-gram, 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". Make sure you use the idea of "repetition" in your design. Notice the repeating curves in the example below.

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

Things 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" photo-gram. Notice the edges are kept intact.

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.

Photography Course Outline

Description: Photography is a basic introduction to taking photos and processing them. We will be working in Black and White, but will also address digital photography and photo manipulation in Photoshop. The Nature of Photography requires a “stick to it” attitude.

• If you do not deal well with failures, do not take this class.
• If you are not willing to spend time in a small dark room, do not take this class!
• If you lack patience and perseverance, don’t take this class.

Materials

A $43.00 fee will be charged for each student.  Students will be provided with 25 sheets of 8x10 paper, 5 Rolls of Tri-X film (one of the most forgiving films available) and 5 negative sleeves. Because the class has now been changed to a full year, additional materials may have to be purchased for the second semester.

Film is inexpensive, but you can easily get carried away and shoot hundreds of exposures.  One of these rolls will be use to practice, while the others will result in projects. You must realize that you will make mistakes and may ruin a roll or two.  This is a part of the learning process.  Even experienced photographers have a disaster from time to time.  Photographic chemicals are provided by the school.

Enough paper is provided to meet the basic demands of most projects. If you want more prints, you must purchase the paper.  Printing paper can become costly, the larger the sheets the more it will cost you.  In graduate school I used dollar sheets of paper.  Enough dollar mistakes taught me to do things right the first time.

Camera

Naturally each student must have a camera.  The ideal camera would be a Single Lens Reflex Camera or SLR.  Rangefinder type cameras are Ok, but the cameras must be capable of changing aperture and shutter speed (manual control).  Disposable cameras are not acceptable. The art department has several cameras that can be loaned in the case of equipment failure. They cannot be used for the whole year.

Digital cameras are also needed for several projects. Cell phones be used, but must have a resolution of at least 5 megapixels.

Class Structure

Photography includes a series of processes. Physical limitations of our darkroom limit the number of people who may print at any one time. We will often split into groups.  When one group is printing, another may be developing film, hand coloring a print, mounting prints or reading an article. Passes will be issued for those needing to sheet photos within the school.

Some Projects

• Photograms and Negative less Images
• Pinhole Cameras
• Hand coloring photos
• Digital Photography
• 3-D Images
• Lighting
• Exploring other formats (Holga Toy Cameras)
• Digital Photo Restoration.
• Being artists
• Other cool stuff

Attendance

You are all aware of the attendance policy. After 25 absences you will loose credit for the class. You can expect me to follow the policy exactly. I record lates!!! If I can get to class on time, so can you. Learn Responsibility.

Grading Policy

A late and great art teacher at Mahopac once said, “Good enough is never good enough!” (Jim Townsend) Honor Jim’s memory by never needing to ask if your work is good enough. Always strive for the very best work and you will be the very best.

Brancusi, a famous sculptor said, “Work like a slave, create like a god”. Do you want to be a slave or god? If you know that you have put everything you have into your work, it will probably result in a grade that you want.

Final Exam – There is a “Final Exam/Project” for this class. The grade breakdown is 22% for each quarter and 12% for the Final.

Cleaning Up

You are responsible for leaving the darkroom in a clean and orderly fashion. If you expect to have quality work, you must work cleanly!

PLEASE NOTE:

Extra help will be available by appointment. I’m flexible!!

You can contact me via E-mail at: boccinim@mahopac.k12.ny.us

My phone extension at the High School is #11416

Assignments are posted in Infinite Campus. Examples of each project will also be physically posted in Room 42.

That’s about it. I started my photography career at age 14 and I’ve never regretted it. (I never seem to be in many family pictures though.) I hope it’s as satisfying for you, as it has been for me.

All the best,

Mr. B