Solargraphy: The Unblinking Eye

The process:

A pinhole camera is pointed at the sun. Black & white photographic paper inside exposes over weeks or months, capturing a duration of time, the sun’s changing arc in a landscape. UV light turns silver dark or orange, and the image is cumulatively recorded. Finally, the negative is retrieved from the camera and scanned rather than processed in a darkroom.

Using pinhole solargraphy, I am interested in exploring natural cycles; the seasons, tidal flow, mould growth or water leakage and what is breaking down inside the camera while the image grows. Introducing disruptive elements and opposing dualities. What happens when a camera is left half buried in a tidal estuary or tethered to a tree to float or rest as the tide rises and falls. Placing a sprig of manuka inside a camera and realising how plants connect with their environment and influence life through chemistry. Imagining a plant mind, how it might experience time?

About the artist:

Jenny Tomlin is an Auckland analogue photographer and printer specialising in pinhole photography and lens less processes.

She completed a Fine Arts Degree in Photography in 1984 at the University of Auckland and since then has worked in commercial photographic laboratories in New Zealand, Australia and Britain. She is currently running a black and white darkroom in Auckland, printing exhibitions and portfolios for film photographers.

Her own practice has developed from working in large format natural landscapes to embracing pinhole photography. The combination of uncertainty and serendipity are so seductive with pinhole. This is enhanced by using found objects as cameras to see how they ‘see’. Hybrid processes of solargraphy and lumen are also important. The cameras are left exposing and exposed to weather or tidal flows. The results are a dialogue using the environment as well as time and light to shape the image.

Besides the pinhole obsession, she occasionally teaches workshops on pinhole photography and darkroom techniques.

For more information see Jenny Tomlin - "Solargraphy" - Creative Arts Napier : Creative Arts Napier

Creative Arts Napier is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm

To see more of her work:

Website: Jennytomlin.co.nz

Instagram: Jenny_camera_obscura

Facebook page: JennyTomlinPhotographics

Recent interview Lomography magazine.
https://www.lomography.com/magazine/358277-bloom-of-possible-worlds-jenny-tomlin-on-her-alternative-photography-practice

Contact the host of Exhibition - “Solargraphy” by Jenny Tomlin