Solar pinholes aka Solargraphy - First attempts!

[EcoLeica]

Hey, over the last couple of weeks I have been experimenting with Solargraphy. As some of you might know Im studying science communication and was originally interested by solargraphy as a way to teach people about planetary motion. So i made up some cameras (about 15 i might have gone a little over board haha) and experimented with some day long exposures. Geeze this is a fun way to take photos and I urge everone to try it! go to Solargraphy.com and give it a go!

[erikhaugsby]

What causes the dramatic color shifts within the frame?

[EcoLeica]

well im not sure, there is no film in the camera, only a piece of b&w paper. There is no development as the image is burned onto the paper as a negative which is then scanned

[skeletron]

Was there any special considerations you had to take when scanning?

Looks fun. Have you done any more solargraphs since your OP?

[Mercurio]

hi, here you can find more info about solargraphy

http://www.solarigrafia.com
http://free.art.pl/solaris/solaris/Solaris.html
http://www.peuta.republika.pl/kula/kula.htm

much sun

[Mercurio]

That's pretty neat. Is it limited to the Sun, or can it be done at night also?

About the moon:

Ramdom Thoughts
http://www.greggkemp.com/archives/category/pinhole-moon

[uhligfd]

What do you mean by b+w paper?

Maybe you can explain that/if that refers to light sensitive paper, such as used to get b+w prints in the darkroom, or what is it that "catches" the light? No film is used, ok, but not copying paper either, right?

[rbiemer]

What do you mean by b+w paper?

Maybe you can explain that/if that refers to light sensitive paper, such as used to get b+w prints in the darkroom, or what is it that "catches" the light? No film is used, ok, but not copying paper either, right?

The paper used for this is the same paper you would use under an enlarger to make prints on.
In ordinary pinhole photography, if you are using paper for your negative, you then make a contact print of that to get a positive print.
The "solarogrphy" thing is to make extremely long exposures and the paper self develops during the exposure. the photos above are a "direct positive"
--there was no negative.
Rob

[EcoLeica]

wow, i put this thread up ages ago and forgot about it. Yes the paper I used was standard darkroom B&W printing paper. You actually get do a negative of sorts Rob. The paper comes out with a inverted image on it and it is then inverted in photoshop. Here is a few examples that i have done lately http://steveting.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/more-solargraphy-2/

[rbiemer]

OK, Steve, I have not done this myself but thought what I'd seen--yours and others--showed an extreme, well, solarization. Hence my thinking it was a direct positive.
Which a bit of reflection proves I wasn't thinking this out clearly.
The next step is to make a couple of cameras and see what my results look like.
Are you fixing yours?
Rob

[EcoLeica]

unfortunately I didnt fix mine, not sure if you can. The instructions i read said to remove the paper in subdued light and then scan. There is no fixing stage that i know of, just dont leave the negative out in the sun or it will disappear

[hamradio]

I tried this last winter with great results.


Not sure where the scan went that I made of it, though.

[Mercurio]

What do you mean by b+w paper?

Maybe you can explain that/if that refers to light sensitive paper, such as used to get b+w prints in the darkroom, or what is it that "catches" the light? No film is used, ok, but not copying paper either, right?

it refers to sensitive black and white paper inside the camera, the same that we used to enlarge prints in the darkroom, the negative will appear by direct darkening. No developer or fixer needed... just scan and invert. easy and amazing way

do it yourself in:

http://web.mac.com/diegolopezcalvin/solarigrafia.com/Hazlo_tu_mismo.html

[bsdunek]

I haven't tried this, however I do a lot of Lumen prints. You fix those just like a regular print. They have colors too, and I'm not sure why - no two are ever the same. See my web site for some examples.