History of Photography 1

Photograms

A photogram is a photographic image made without a camera. It involves placing things on the surface of a light sensitive material and then exposing them to light. Traditionally this process has been done using photographic paper. During this lesson, you will learn how to fake creating a photogram using your mobile phone and editing.

• Step 1: Do a quick Google image search for Photograms and have a look at some of the fantastic examples.

• Step 2: Using a sheet of white paper (or a white surface such as a kitchen worktop or pillowcase), arrange a few found objects on top (slightly more challenging would be to arrange the objects to communicate a narrative/story).

• Step 3: Take a the shot from above. Tap the screen to make sure it is focus. Take at least 15 photographs (you can tweak the objects in between shots if you like).

• Step 4: Choose your favourite photographs and edit them using the 'Curves' tool in Snapseed to convert it to a negative image. Then use the 'Noir' filter on Snapseed to complete the photogram effect. Watch this video to see how to do this.

• Step 5: Go back to Google classroom and upload the before and after photographs of the ones you edited. Write a brief comment explaining why you think these are your best edited photographs and why.

Photogram WAGOLL

Have a look at the WAGOLL examples below to get a better idea of what I am looking for:

Cyanotypes

The English scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel discovered this procedure in 1842. Herschel didn't consider the process as photographic but as a means of reproducing notes and diagrams, as in blueprints. It was the female photographer Anna Atkins who brought this process to photography. She created a limited series of cyanotype books the documented ferns and other plant life from her extensive seaweed collection. Atkins placed specimens directly onto coated paper, allowing the action of light to create a silhouette effect. Watch this history video to learn about the process. During this lesson you will fake a cyanotype using your mobile phone and editing.

Step 1: Set up your scene. Ideas for Success:

• White sheet of paper

• Various dried leaves, big leaves with intricate shapes or flowers with interesting petals

• Lace

• Shells or other nature items

Step 2: Take some photographs of your little scene. Shoot from above. Tap your screen to make sure the shot is in focus. Take around 15 photographs.

Step 3: Watch this video which shows you how to use Snapseed to edit your photographs. then go back to the Google classroom and turn in 3 different cyanotypes that you made.

Cyanotype WAGOLL

Have a look at the WAGOLL examples below to get a better idea of what I am looking for:

Food and vintage colour

William Eggleston is one of America's most celebrated photographers. He is widely credited with increasing recognition for colour photography as a legitimate artistic medium. Do a quick Google image search and browse some of the photographs he took. Note how fantastically he captures that time period and pay attention to the 'colours' in the photographs.

Step 1: I want you to photograph one of your meals. Be careful to think about the background to your photograph.

Step 2: Take your photographs from above. Remember to tap the screen to ensure the image is in focus. Take at least 15 photographs. Experiment with moving your plate onto different backgrounds both indoors and outside. Be quick. You don't want your food to get cold!

Step 3: Choose your favourite shot(s). Apply the 'Vintage' filter using Snapseed. Toggle with some of the settings of the filter until you are happy with the effect. Watch this video to see how:

Step 4: Go back to Google classroom and turn in the before and after photographs.

Vintage colour WAGOLL

Have a look at the WAGOLL examples below to get a better idea of what I am looking for:

Useful web links:

A brief history of digital photography.

History of digital photography.

Rise of digital photography.