College Photography mini Projects Year 2

My Overview:

Photograms are a photographic technique that predates our modern cameras, the technique involves placing objects directly onto light-sensitive paper in a darkroom, you then expose the specialist paper to light and because of the objects on top, this results in the shadows casting an image onto the paper. 

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I am very satisfied with my third photogram as the combination of using glass with organic natural forms like leaves and flowers creates a elegant appearance, however I found that I didn't enjoy working with heavy manmade objects (such as those depicted in my second photogram) as it felt very blocky in appearance and didn't carry the same charm. 

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Taking a look at contemporary photograms artist: Ethan Jantzer.
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Ethan Jantzer is a contemporary artist who was born in 1973 and currently lives in Lakewood, America. His work with photograms has greatly interested me with his brilliant use of technical precision.

Jantzer's skill in this process is evident in his ability to manipulate the use of light and shadows to craft his images. A vast majority of his works tend to feature everyday objects and natural elements, some examples being leaves, feathers, animals, and even the human form. These then through the process of creating photograms translate into abstract and surreal images.

What really sets apart his work in my opinion is the technique he uses to colour his photograms. Jantzer is well known for his approach to creating coloured photograms, which is a departure from the more traditional black-and-white designs. To achieve coloured photograms, Jantzer usually uses a process involving coloured gels or filters in combination with light-sensitive photographic paper. In this process he places the coloured gels or filters over the light source being used. These coloured filters allow specific wavelengths of light to pass through, which casts coloured shadows onto the paper.

Jantzers photograms invite the viewer into a world where the mundane becomes magical and the familiar changes into the unexpected, and because of this his work has garnered critical acclaim and earned him a place among elite contemporary artists. 

Taking a look at the history of photograms artist: Stevan Zivadinovic Vane Bor.

Stevan Zivadinovic, otherwise widely known as Vane Bor, is an artist whose mastery of photograms has left a mark on the world of contemporary photography. Vane Bor was born in Serbia in 1908 and passed away in 1993.

Vane Bor was active within the surrealist movement, he also worked with the medium of collage, photographs and theoretical texts and poems. However, I will be focusing on his Photograms as I reflect on his work within this genre.
First and foremost Vane Bors skill in creating stunning compositions really speaks for itself. This is because he uses a wide array of objects, both man-made and organic. His photograms often blend the tangible with the ethereal, creating an otherworldly quality that resonates with the viewer.
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Additionally, Vane Bor's great use of lighting techniques is worth mentioning. He manipulates light and shadow with a quick but gentle touch, allowing him to compliment details such as the various textures within his photograms. 
I personally appreciate Vane Bor's dedication to preserving the tradition of creating photograms, his work serves as a testament to the enduring beauty of this age-old technique. Especially in a world that was beginning to become heavily saturated by digital photography.

In conclusion, Stevan Zivadinovic Vane Bor's photograms are a testament to his artistic skill, his ability to revitalise the photogram technique as a relevant medium has solidified him as a rock within the art of alternative photography.