This is What Happens When You Leave Photographic Paper Outside for One Day

One seller’s outdated or, even, fogged box of photographic paper that’s ready for a heavily discounted sale, could be your goldmine. That is, if you’re willing to violate the commonly held belief that photographic paper is a light-sensitive product that should be shielded from extraneous light. You, on the other hand, will throw caution to the wind and purchase this unwanted box of paper and let it see the light of day; in fact, it’s gonna see several hours worth of daylight.

Sometimes referred to as “lumen prints,” these strongly exposed camera-less photographs are a curiosity that every artist should try to fabricate. Unlike your typical darkroom/enlarger exposure and subsequent chemical development that’s performed with photographic paper, a lumen print dances to a different drummer. First of all, you’re liberated from the darkroom. This form of print is exposed by a long dose of sunlight.

When the exposure is just the way you like it, you’re all done! There’s no need to develop the print in a batch of chemicals, nor is there a requirement for “fixing” the final print, either. Just expose and go.

[Related Reading: This photographer plays with dirt to create stunning photographic prints]

Very Il-lumen-ating

There are two products that you’ll need to purchase for making a lumen print. First, and most obvious, is a box of photographic paper. Save your money and look for severely outdated paper or a damaged box that could’ve caused light leaks inside the package. Remember, you won’t be using a conventional darkroom/enlarger for exposing your paper prints. Therefore, less than perfect paper is, err, perfect for this project.

The other product that you will need for making these perfect lumen prints is a high-quality professional contact printing frame. Priced at $70.95, this frame will enable you to put your best effort forward when making lengthy outdoor paper exposures.

Once you’re equipped with these two products, you are ready to create the artwork for your print. This action can be safely performed in normal room lighting. Load the paper inside the printing frame (remember, the paper’s emulsion side is UP, towards the sunlight) and gather your materials. Actually, just about anything is an ideal candidate for layering over the photographic paper. Large format negatives, fabric, rocks, flowers, toys, sand, and the list goes on, only limited by your imagination. After you’ve created the perfect composition, it’s time to take the fully-stocked printing frame outside for exposure.

Locate a sunny spot and leave the printing frame alone for approximately 1 – 3 hours. Yes, you can vary the exposure time. Just watch the paper color and remove the frame when the desired color has been obtained. Satisfied with the print’s color, take the frame back indoors, remove the paper, and that’s it. Your lumen print is complete. How’d it turn out? Better try another print while the sun is still up. One word of caution, however. Keep your final print shielded from more sunlight exposure. Making a digital scan of the final print is OK, but tucking the print inside an archival envelope and storing it away from light will help ensure being able to occasionally admire it for another 10+ years.

Enjoy.

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