A photogram is a photographic print made by placing something on light sensitive paper to block out light and then exposing the paper to light. One type of paper used in making photograms is called blueprint paper. It is brushed with solutions of iron salts and then dried (the SunPrint packets marketed by the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley use a type of blueprint paper). The iron salts are sensitive to light and cause the paper to darken when exposed to light, creating a white image (where light is blocked out) on a blue background.

Click on the small photograms to enlarge the images and learn more about them from the artists: Rubisela Sanchez and Demarus Tevuk.

Directions

Place objects on the light-sensitive paper.
Suggestions on what objects to use: dried flowers and leaves, toothpicks, pins, other small objects seeds, marbles, beads, thread, paper cutouts, or black-and-white photo negatives. Objects that block light or only let a little light through will create white images on the paper. If nothing is blocking light, the paper will turn blue.

Place in direct sunlight or under a bright light for 1-5 minutes.
If the objects are thin enough, you can use heavy plastic or glass to hold the objects in place. You can try multiple exposures (putting the paper in direct light,then removing it to somewhere dark to put on different objects, then reexposing it to light) over the five minute time period, rearranging things between exposures.

Quickly rinse the paper with water for about 1 minute. Dry flat.

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To get ideas for photograms and learn more about them, visit these web sites:

Take a Light Walk at the Exploratorium
http://www.exploratorium.edu/light_walk/index.html

Photograms by Eva Shaderowfsky
http://www.sherryart.com/paintings/eva.html

Gallery Exhibit of Irene-Marie Spencer
http://www2.netconcepts.com/gallery/composites.html