Gum Bichromate Printing

For one of our last alternative processes, we will learn the technique of gum bichromate printing, or "gum" printing as it's often known. Gum printing is one the earliest color photographic process, invented by efforts of William Fox Talbot (who invented the first paper negative) and Mongo Ponton. Essentially, when a metallic dichromate (such as potassium) is combined with a colloid (a large moleculed gel or emulsion) like gum arabic, it becomes UV light sensitive and hardens proportionally to the amount of light striking it.

Unlike any of the other alternative processes, gum printing can be any color, because the gum arabic that's mixed with the dichromate can be tinted with watercolor. Layering multiple hues of color can create even create the illusion of a full-color image! (we'll talk about how Photoshop can be used to "split" a color image into three color spectrums and three different negatives to make a full-color bichromate print!)

While you are shooting your independent series, we will experiment with gum printing in class. To begin, create 2 new 5x7 ortho-litho negatives with which you can contact print with. You will need more than one to be able to layer imagery. Then, you can size and tone your paper with the dichromate solution to print with.

Here are two fantastic websites that explain the process and history of gum bichromate printing far better than I can:

Gum Bichromate Photography

Alternative Photography

Be sure to check out the Flickr group "Gum Bichromate" here to see a ton of examples of this printing process. You can also check out the simple slideshow below:

*Click* #10 Winner: Raissa Rosenbaum

"Red Ants" by Raissa Rosenbaum.

Photo Essays

For our next class assignment, you will play the role of a very important kind of photographer: the photojournalist. Photojournalists are at once photographers, and writers. They often collaborate with writers from newspapers and magazines to tell important stories, and illuminate important events that might otherwise go unnoticed. They are unbiased and truthful, but can sometimes also be loaded or sensationalized.

Over the next few days, we will look at works by many different photojournalists, and identify their mission. Where are they? What are they trying to tell us through their images? How do these images make us feel?

We will also look at photographers and artists who play the role of the photojournalist, and use elements of this role in their ideas and presentation of their work.

To begin, check out the links below to several websites that show professional photo essays by photojournalists that work around the world:

The TIMES photographic essay website
Lauren Greenfield
Bruce Davidson
Jan Sochor
Peter Menzel
James Nachtwey
Joachim Ladefoged

Lens: The New York Times Photo Essay Blog

And then check out the slideshow of artists and photographers who use a photojournalist approach to their work.

Photo Essay Requirements & Proposal

More Exhibition Opportunities!

Distinguished Scholar in the Arts- Open to juniors only, the Distinguished Scholar in the arts competition is for juniors who have a GPA of 3.7 or higher, and are willing to talk about their work in front of a panel of judges. Reservoir will choose 5 nominees, including candidates from drama, music and dance. Last year 3 of the 5 nominees were in the visual arts, and 2 of them were Photo students! Sign up in class and see me for more information. You need to sign up by Friday, March 12th

Congressional Show- Open to juniors and seniors, the art department will choose 8 works (combined from both art and photo) to nominate for the 2010 Congressional Art awards. Images must be submitted in the Flickr group pool, clearly labeled as "Congressional Art." Choose works that demonstrate elegant composition, and are more conservative in subject matter. If you're submitting work, please respond to the Flickr discussion here, and then post the work on the group pool by Friday, March 19th.

Click #9 Winner: Heather McCarl

"Bird's Eye/Mouse Eye" by Heather McCarl