Year long pinhole exposure of Toronto

mikecnichols · Jan 2, 2012

Did anyone on here see the news story about the freelancer (age 31) who shot a 365 day exposure of the Toronto skyline? Reading it, the photographer mentions using a photo sensitive paper and not chemically developing it. I understand the latter part somewhat, but I would think he'd be able to at least fix the image as is. Does anyone know the logistics of doing an exposure like this? I am assuming he's using a paper made for enlarging slides? Maybe a very special emulsion paper? At any rate, the image was pretty sweet and reminds me again of the inabilities of digital photography versus film/paper shooting. Even with the Photoshop tools, a CCD sensor could not create art like this.

Check it out in the article:

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1109339--photographer-michael-chrisman-s-year-long-exposure-of-toronto-s-skyline-produces-dreamy-image-of-city?bn=1#article

erikg · Jan 2, 2012

He made a lumen print. Probably normal photo paper, expose long enough and the image prints out, as opposed to developing out. Fixing will destroy most images made this way, so a quick copy is made to preserve it. Try one, very easy to do, lots of fun as well.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.860143,-71.396707

mikecnichols · Jan 3, 2012

erikg said:
He made a lumen print. Probably normal photo paper, expose long enough and the image prints out, as opposed to developing out. Fixing will destroy most images made this way, so a quick copy is made to preserve it. Try one, very easy to do, lots of fun as well.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.860143,-71.396707

Thanks...I appreciate the info....would RA-4 paper work?

erikg · Jan 3, 2012

I think color paper will work, but the image won't be in color. On the other hand b&w paper used this way often has a color to it, but neither paper will have color corresponding to subject color.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.860172,-71.396779

Michael W · Jan 3, 2012

These are commonly called Solargrams. A few have been posted here previously that were one year exposures.

mikecnichols · Jan 3, 2012

erikg said:
I think color paper will work, but the image won't be in color. On the other hand b&w paper used this way often has a color to it, but neither paper will have color corresponding to subject color.

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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.860172,-71.396779

Yeah, I wasn't trying to get color but more concerned about the image being positive.

mikecnichols · Jan 3, 2012

Michael W said:
These are commonly called Solargrams. A few have been posted here previously that were one year exposures.

Neat, thanks....I had never heard of them being this long before.

keithwms · Jan 3, 2012

Mike, it's possible that the paper used for lightjet might work for this. I've been meaning to check with John Stubblefield in Charlottesville to see if he has any to donate....

John Austin · Jan 3, 2012

Go to the source, Justin Quinnell regularly leaves long term cameras around - His methods are discussed as well

http://www.pinholephotography.org/

BrianL · Jan 3, 2012

Saw the article in this mornings Toronto paper. Very interesting read.

artonpaper · Jan 3, 2012

Very cool. There was a grad student at Brooklyn College where I teach that did pinhole exposures for months. He used B&W RC paper, which has developing agents incorporated in the emulsion (At least that's what I've been told). The image printed out, and even though it was B&W paper, various colors crept into the results. His images were negative and he scanned and printed them in color. The color was false color but very compelling.

zsas · Jan 3, 2012

Wonderful article! Thanks for the posting! Andy

PhotoBob · Jan 8, 2012

Wow that is amazing ... thanks for sharing.

IAphotog · Feb 14, 2012

I wonder if Harmon's Direct Positive paper would give any results?

Jeff Kubach · Feb 14, 2012

That is awsome!

Jeff

clayne · Feb 14, 2012

Of particular note are the comments in the original link. Welcome the next generation of internet-fed ADHD-children.

dwerg85 · Feb 16, 2012

IAphotog said:
I wonder if Harmon's Direct Positive paper would give any results?

Probably, It works by severely overexposing the medium. Results are probably going to be different than these ones tho.

reciprocity · Feb 17, 2012

This may be some use to you...
http://www.solargraphy.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8&Itemid=9

Year long pinhole exposure of Toronto

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