Lumen printing on film

Erik Petersson · Jun 10, 2017

Hi, I have played with lumen printing for a couple of years, and now I would like to try exposing film instead of paper. I already put a piece of Fujicolor 200 with some leaves on under a piece of glass, and I plan to fix it in ordinary fixer (for b/w film) later today. If a picture is formed, perhaps I can print or scan.

Have anyone of you tried this? Should I use negative or positive film? Fixing as planned, or otherwise? Thanks for any advice!

/Erik

removed account4 · Jun 10, 2017

hi erik

i have done IN CAMERA retina prints on film. it takes a long exposure and you won't really see the image
until after you scan it sometimes
i've only done it with b/w film, never color ..

http://nanianphoto.com/blog/back-waaay-back/
http://nanianphoto.com/blog/tmy-retina-image/retinadeck553/
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

have fun !
john

Erik Petersson · Jun 10, 2017

jnanian, thanks for your reply. If I read your blog correctly, you expose the film for hours in the sun, then you scan it before fixing, is that right?
/Erik

bvy · Jun 10, 2017

Interesting idea. I'm intrigued. Please share your results (success or otherwise).

Erik Petersson · Jun 11, 2017

I tried again this morning, with a piece of the same film (fujicolor 200) and a piece of Tmax 400. After fixing they both have faint pictures. I'll show you as soon as they are scanned.

Erik Petersson · Jun 11, 2017

Hi, here are the filmstrips after fixing. They pink is Fujicolor, the grey is Tmax 400. This might be worth trying more.
The scanning software is doing a lot of interpretation of course.

removed account4 · Jun 12, 2017

hi erik

yeah you scan before fixing, at least that is what i do
but i don't have a fluid swap with plants, just an image stain in the camera.
have fun!
john

Erik Petersson · Jun 12, 2017

I was inspired by this
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kycamlewis/5894462789/in/album-72157626807934199/
Of course it might be fluid in the plant, just like in normal lumens.

Bob Carnie · Jun 12, 2017

Do lumens only work with Flowers?? I would like to see other objects if anyone can point me to them, my friend Ginette does only plants I think.

Erik Petersson · Jun 12, 2017

Jerry Burchfield did roadkill lumens. But most people go for plants.

removed account4 · Jun 12, 2017

hi bob
they usually make them with organic tissue type stuff because
the thing being "photogrammed" and the paper heat up and the fluids
comingle and do some sort of chemical reaction which allows them to be fixed.
solargraphs ( like 6 month long exposed pinhole photographs ) or retina prints ( in camera like i do with a lens and a few hours or days )
or photograms with non living stuff being squished with glass and heated by the sun are a bit different
because it is more of a "stain" than the comingling of "stuff"
not sure if that makes sense ?

NedL · Jun 12, 2017

some glass "gems" and a glass snail shell.... made this with my daughter years ago. I think we poured a little water on top of it all too
Not great or anything, but not a plant. Sort of reminds me of looking into a tidepool.

I've seen some nice salt photograms of antique lace....

removed account4 · Jun 12, 2017

lumen/sun/solargraphs/retina/chemgrams
really beautiful and primal

Lumen printing on film

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