The above are the results of experimenting with the chemigram process. These images are particularly abstract and have real sense of depth. The outcome is, to a large extent, unpredictable, however, I learned a few things along the way in relation to how I can exert some control to achieve a preferred outcome:
The type of paper affects the outcome. In my opinion, Adox paper produced better results than Ilford paper. Interesting effects can be created by using out of date photographic paper or partially exposed photographic paper – the great thing about chemigrams is that there are no hard and fast rules!
Whilst it is not absolutely necessary to use a ‘stop bath’, I found that my images were over-developing when I just used water and I wanted to exert more control over the final results, to make the decision to stop the process once I had achieved a desired outcome.
I preferred the images that were dipped in fixer first and then developer. This produced a greater range of tones, rather than a more black and white image when using developer first. The small samples below are part of my experimentation. The first section shows where I have dipped the photographic paper in developer first, followed by fixer and the second section shows where I have dipped the photographic paper in fixer first, followed by developer.
Testing Testing …
Develop then Fix
Fix then Develop
Different resists create different outcomes. Products such as honey and vaseline are quite dense and don’t create particularly interesting images on their own, although they can be scraped into to provide more controlled outcomes. I prefer using the less dense and more acidic resists such as lemon juice and vinegar as these produce much more unpredictable results when dipped in the processing chemicals.
By understanding all the variables that can affect the outcome of the chemigrams, you can exert some level of control in order to achieve the desired results. However, whilst I have a preference over the products, paper and process I use, chemigrams ultimately have a life of their own and it is this unpredictable, abstract nature that I embrace.