#luminogram

Secondary Research / Artist Research

While researching camera-less photography, I came across a video document on Eric William Carroll's creation process. 

In the document, Carroll explained that as modern photography has gotten easier, to create art, he wanted to make the process of photographing a little bit more challenging for himself so he turned to camera-less photography.

During the document, we get to see Carroll’s work process as he captures the shadows of nature for his contemporary collection Blue Line of Woods (2010-2015). He uses big sheets of light-sensitive blue line paper that activate in the sunlight and create the image using the contrast of light and shadow. Carroll runs the sheets through an ammonia fume processor which turns the yellow pigment of the diazo salt on the sheets into a beautiful blue, creating this capturing atmosphere.

In an instant, I was amazed by his work. I've always enjoyed observing the contrast and the movements of the shadows created by foliage. Carroll's introduction to this way of capturing shadows which is completely new to me was absolutely mindblowing, especially when considering the scale he works on. Observing Shadows of different daily situations would be very interesting using this medium.

Carroll also brings up how the images on the sheets will change color and fade when time passes and how the ephemerality of the images strips away the preciousness of the photograph itself, making the whole creation process and exhibition part of the piece.

Michael Jackson. from the series Flatlands, 2019.

Michael Jackson. Edwin Abbott Abbott, 2017.