We live in a digital world, and the pandemic has highlighted the importance of online content. As a society, we have become reliant on rapid communication, instant gratification, and accessible information. While embracing the digital revolution, we run the risk of neglecting its analogue origins; we constantly look to where we are going, yet we forget to remember where we have been. Innovation is important, but so is reminiscence. This is no more apparent than in the world of media, where photography is both an evolving science and a reflective art-form. The accuracy and ease of digital photography lends itself to the fast-paced computer age, whereas the subjectivity and delicacy of analogue photography and alternative techniques allow for a greater freedom of self-expression. How can we combine the two? Could the ease of digital communication and the speed of online information-sharing be utilised to enable and encourage people to explore the beauty of the analogue world?
During the lockdown, where some took solace online, others took up new hobbies and learned new skills. I joined an alternative photography group on Facebook and found that I was just one individual in the sudden influx of people wanting to learn more about long-forgotten techniques they could use during isolation. This group has been helpful, but a lot of the support and critique offered there is aimed at those who already have a good level of understanding of these skills, rather than beginners and novices. I realised that I could create a resource for people wanting an introduction to a variety of techniques. Through a blog, I can record my own journey as I learn about various photographic processes, my successes and failures, and how my audience can try these techniques themselves. I intend to focus mostly on analogue processes but would also like to incorporate some alternative digital techniques. This may involve multiple exposures, using digital negatives to create positive prints with analogue techniques, or scanning analogue images and editing them digitally.
Some of the key processes I intend to explore are cyanotypes, infrared film, chemigrams and lumen prints. While I have previous experience with creating cyanotypes, I feel that this would be a good starting point for a strong body of work and a solid base for experimentation. Chemigrams will allow me to create more abstract pieces, whereas infrared film should produce straight photos with an eerie element. Similarly, cyanotypes and lumen prints will create ghostly impressions of flora, while chlorophyll prints will depict straight photographs on a natural, changing medium. My blog will consist of two post types – one exploring the history and theoretical elements of a process, and the other showing my experiments. I will also include a gallery showcasing my top images to help new visitors discover which techniques they would like to learn.
To stay true to the lockdown origins of this project, and to enable me to continue working should restrictions increase over winter, I will have to consider the pandemic in my planning. Most of my practical work will be possible to complete at home, with any specialist equipment being easy and cheap to acquire. This will ensure that my blog fulfils its purpose – to provide information and inspiration so people new to the techniques can confidently try them at home.
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