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Photo Forum / Film Photography / Darkroom / December 2005

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Photograms without an Enlarger..Light Bulb Wattage?

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mrg - 04 Dec 2005 18:59 GMT
I have been creating a few photograms in my darkroom with a regular
incandescent 40watt bulb, but I have to flash the light for only a second to
get a descent print.  I was wondering if anyone has made photograms at home
without an enlarger, and what type and/or bulb wattage should I use?  Does
the light need to be diffused?  I'm going to attempt to use a 20watt bulb,
but I know there has to be a better way to get the photograms I'm looking for.
. any suggestions?
Nicholas O. Lindan - 04 Dec 2005 19:59 GMT
> photograms ... what type and/or bulb wattage should I use

Try a 7 1/2 watt 'ping-pong ball' size light bulb, about
3ft+ from the paper.  If this is too much light then apply
masking tape to the bulb.

If you need very sharp shadows then you need a point source.
Try a Mag-Lite [the fancy $$ aluminum ones] penlight.  The
reflector screws off, leaving sort of a candle affair with a
tiny little halogen lamp on the top.  The removed reflector then
doubles as a stand for the 'candle'.

If you are going to be doing a lot of this sort of work then
look on ebay for a 'nuArc point source printing lamp'.

Signature

Nicholas O. Lindan, Cleveland, Ohio
Consulting Engineer:  Electronics; Informatics; Photonics.
To reply, remove spaces: n o lindan at ix  . netcom . com
Fstop timer -  http://www.nolindan.com/da/fstop/index.htm

mrg - 04 Dec 2005 21:57 GMT
I tried a 4watt bulb (you know those little night light bulobs) and it's
working out great.  Thanks for your help!
Robert Feinman - 05 Dec 2005 15:19 GMT
> I have been creating a few photograms in my darkroom with a regular
> incandescent 40watt bulb, but I have to flash the light for only a second to
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> but I know there has to be a better way to get the photograms I'm looking for.
> . any suggestions?

You can also try using an electronic flash pointed upward, away from the
paper. I once did full body photograms of my kids when they were little
by having them lie on a long piece of enlarger paper cut from a roll.
If the flash is too bright cover it with diffuser or colored acetate.

Signature

Robert D Feinman
Landscapes, Cityscapes and Panoramic Photographs
http://robertdfeinman.com
mail: robert.feinman@gmail.com

seog - 20 Dec 2005 21:38 GMT
>I once did full body photograms of my kids when they were little
> by having them lie on a long piece of enlarger paper cut from a roll.

Have they forgiven you yet?

I think you're onto something with your "Conceptual Photography". It's only
a matter of time before you're the king of SOHO. Before long you'll be
delivering your latest masterpieces in a Range Rover, dressed in black (you,
not the RR) smoking a big smelly, pretentious cigar. Then you will be an
artiste! You'll have to change your name of course. Something like Robert
(as in Flaubert) of Paree. Oui?

Natural Light Black and White Photography
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze76ane/
-George-
 
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