Lumen Prints

A lumen print forms a photogram image on black and white photographic paper under UV light (sunlight). Objects are placed directly on the paper and left for some time – minutes or hours, depending upon the strength of the sun – to burn an image onto the paper.

Olive Dean takes the lumen process one step further and combines black and white photographic paper with an additional coating of cyanotype chemicals.

Lumen UV exposure

Lumen UV exposure in clip frame.

Using a clip fram to hold down the seaweed a beach exposure was made.

Lumen

Lumen after exposure.

An initial rinse in the sea.

Washing

Lumen having excess cyanotype solution washed off in seawater pool.

Left to drip dry.

Rinsing

Removing excess seawater from a lumen print.

The image can then be fixed or scanned to preserve the effect as the photographic paper would continue to react to any light.

Blue Prints

The blue print, also known as the cyanotype was invented by Sir John Herschel in 1842, as a means of copying notes and diagrams. Anna Atkins used this photogram process in 1842-43 to document a selection of plants and seaweeds by placing the specimens directly onto the sensitised paper to allow daylight to activate the chemical coating creating a sillhouette effect. Anna Atkins is widely regarded as the first female photographer.

We followed in her footsteps.

Cyanotype 2 UV exposure

Cyanotype 2 UV exposure in clip frame.

A clip frame is used to hold watercolour paper which has had a solution of potassium ferricyanide / ferric ammonium citrate brushed on. Seaweed is arranged across the surface and the glass clipped down to keep everything steady. The sun now gets to work, the UV rays providing the power to the chemical reaction.

Cyanotype 2 in pool

Cyanotype 2 in pool

After several minutes the exposed areas of the coated paper can be seen to change to a dull grey colour and the print is ready for rinsing. An initial rinse can be made in the rock pool with a fresh water rinse required later to remove the salt.

Pinhole Propeller Postcards

Inspired by Dunbar’s, Robert Wilson (1803-1882), invention of the first practical screw propeller, as commemorated in 2003 by the 4 ton propeller sculpture at the Victoria Harbour, the photo-montage postcard images comprise of two lensless photographic techniques. Photograms of his screw propeller proposal text to the Royal Society of Arts, dated 1860, and collected mussel and oyster shells from the Dunbar shore – positioned to reflect the shape of the screw propeller – are combined with recent pinhole negatives of the current propellers found in craft by the harbour.

Propeller

Download a set of propeller postcards to print at home.

Propeller