T42. Learn all Sunlight based Processes Outside the Darkroom with Henri Blommers

In this workshop, participants will explore the shared principles behind several alternative photographic processes, focusing on how these techniques function independently of the specific material used. The session compares photographic paper, ortho film, and, when appropriate, paper treated with wet cyanotype to observe how different supports influence the results.The workshop begins with an overview of phytograms, cyanotype, lumen, cyanolumen, and chemigrams, examining how each process works and identifying their common chemical and visual behaviors. The aim is to recognize the transferable principles that can be reused across different techniques.Participants will start by producing phytograms using a sustainable developer made from herbs and plants, then move into lumen and cyanolumen, combining theory with practical experimentation. A wet cyanotype phase follows, expanding material responses, before transitioning into chemigrams using both the plant based developer and fixer.The final stages clarify the differences and overlaps between phytograms, lumen, and chemigrams, extend phytogram work onto sheet film and short lengths of 35 mm film, and conclude with hybrid results by combining cyanolumen and chemigram interventions. The workshop encourages a hybrid and experimental approach across multiple alternative processes.

Outline

1. Overview of processes: phytogram, cyanotype, lumen, cyanolumen, chemigram
2. How the processes work and the similarities that can be shared across them
3. Phytograms: preparation of a sustainable plant-based developer
4. Lumen and cyanolumen: theory and initial making
5. Wet cyanotype and lunch break
6. Chemigrams: using the phytogram developer and fixer
7. Phytograms: differences compared to lumen and chemigrams
8. Phytograms on sheet film and short lengths of 35mm film
9. Cyanolumen combined with chemigram interventions

Participant skills required:

• Some prior experience with cyanotype.
• Basic knowledge of darkroom principles.