Otherworldly: Silver Thermograms and Photograms - Artist's Statement

I was trained as a Zone System photographer, i.e. very traditionally, with complete control over the exposure, development, and printing of each image.  As I got deeper into the technical side of large format photography, I finally revolted to the complete opposite end of the photo spectrum--abstraction. 

I still find comfort and ease in the traditional side, but the –gram side is fun and physical.  There are no rules, almost.  Happy accidents are the norm.  Nothing is ever the same twice. 

About these images

Pho·tog·ra·phy [light+drawn] in its purest definition has never required a camera and film—only the chemical reaction of light and/or heat on sensitized paper.  Thus, photograms are made from light passing through objects on sensitized silver gelatin paper, and then processed with darkroom chemicals.  Silver thermograms are made with heat and/or heated objects passing over and around common household products on silver gelatin paper, and then processed with darkroom chemicals.  Household products used include, but are not limited to:  coffee, tea, salt, baking soda, vinegar, oil, borax, sawdust, spices, steel wool, rust, and anything else you can think of that’s not completely toxic.