The Chlorophyll Process was first used by Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey. This is a very organic process, as it uses sunlight and the pigment found in leafs. The sunlight bleaches a positive onto a leaf, resulting in stunning images that take on an interesting shape and texture.
The Process:
1. Choose a leaf.
-Broad and flat leaves are preferable.
-Cut the stem down low and at an angle, keeping as much of it as possible.
-Put the steam in a vase to keep the leaf from wilting.
2. Choose an image and create the positive/transparency.
-Choose a positive with high contrast to improve the clarity of the final print.
3. Arrange the positive on top of the leaf, then put a sheet of glass over the arrangement.
-Arrange the positive and leaf so the stem is sticking out of the glass sheet.
-Use a rubber band to secure a small bag of water to the stem. Only do this if you want to keep the leaf from drying out.
4. Place in direct sunlight.
5. Checking and removing your print.
-After leaving the print out for at least 24 hours in direct sunlight, check if the bleaching process is transpiring.
-When the bleaching process is done, peel the off positive slowly, as the leaves can be fragile, thin and damp.
6. Preserving the Chlorophyll print.
-When not on display, press the leaf in a book away from direct sunlight.
-Another way to preserve the print is to cover it in a layer of UV stabilizer polyester resin. This allows you to preserve the print longer while keeping it on display.
Information found at Alternative Photography.
Below is some work from contemporary photographers who use the Chlorophyll Process.
Binh Danh
Binh Danh has some moving stories behinds his work. He finds photos from the Vietnamese War and turns them into Chlorophyll prints. His images are ghost-like and have beautiful textures. I recommenced you check out his website and this interesting video where he explains the chlorophyll process and how his work connects to those who passed away in war.
After quite a bit of research, I think it is safe to say there aren't many contemporary photographers who practice the chlorophyll process. This is likely do to the fact that it is difficult to preserve these fragile yet inciting prints.
After quite a bit of research, I think it is safe to say there aren't many contemporary photographers who practice the chlorophyll process. This is likely do to the fact that it is difficult to preserve these fragile yet inciting prints.
