Photogram [ pho · to · gram ]

A Photogram is a photographic image made without a camera by placing objects directly onto the surface of a light-sensitive material such as photographic paperand then exposing it to light.

The usual result is a negative shadow image that shows variations in tone that depends upon the transparency of the objects used. Areas of the paper that have received no light appear white; those exposed for a shorter time or through transparent or semi-transparent objects appear grey,while fully exposed areas are black in the final print.



Hand over map photogram

The technique is sometimes called cameraless photography.It was used by Man Ray in what he called rayographs.

Other artists who have experimented with the technique include László Moholy-Nagy

Christian Schad (who called them "Schadographs")



The earliest Photograms were also the very first photographic prints made by William Henry Fo Talbot starting around 1820

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