Camera-less Photography Using A Flatbed Scanner

Scanners are a very useful tool that can not only be used to reproduce a document but can also be used to scan any collection of items and produce an image.  This image can then be developed in Photoshop to a desired result thus creating a camera-less image.

The type of scanner used was a flatbed scanner that employs a high DPI resolution and optical density to give a good scanned result. It is important to remember that the scanner does have a depth of field but it is in fact quite shallow only being about one inch deep.

The scanned and saved image being cropped in Photoshop

Using a curves layer to alter the contrast

The following screen shot depicts the image with a gradient layer added and used selectively to darken the edges and a black and white layer added and merged to mute the colours.

The Final Result

The same process as above was applied in Photoshop to a different collection of natural items and the following are the before and after results.

                                                                                                     

I didn't feel this image of the camera and film strip worked as well as the natural collections even after the image had been cropped and the levels altered in Photoshop. The scanner has also picked up lots debris on the scanner plate which highlights the need to keep it clean in order to avoid this.




Paul Kenny is an excellent source of inspiration for this area of imagery. Kenny is a well published and respected artist who also regularly holds masterclass sessions on his work and methods.

Paul Kenny

Paul Kenny

Evaluation

I found this to be an interesting and engaging area of image making that I hadn't explored previously. Whilst my final images were quite pleasing, I believe that my subject matter needs more thought. The scanner engages your image making skills in an entirely different way as opposed to the normal process of using a camera. I will be trying this again, however I will be giving more thought to my subject matter and I also plan to use different sources as a background to the produced images.

Another method of creating a camera-less image or 'photogram' is achieved by using photographic paper and casting shadows and manipulating light, or by chemically treating the surface of the paper
(V&A, 2013). 

Bibliography

The Photo Parlour. (2013). Paul Kenny Artist Talk and Camera-less Photography Masterclass. Available: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/paul-kenny-artist-talk-and-camera-less-photography-masterclass-tickets-8490875437. Last accessed 3rd Feb 2014.
Victoria and Albert Museum. (2013). Camera-less photography: techniques. Available: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/camera-less-photography-techniques/. Last accessed 17th Dec 2013.