The Magic of Lumen Printing

Through the magic of light-sensitive paper and a spirit of experimentation, lumen printing is a camera-free process that transforms everyday materials into glowing, luminous photographic art. In this new online workshop, artist Vanessa Marsh shares the nuances of the process, placing objects on traditional black-and-white darkroom paper and exposing them to sunlight or UV light. This technique lets you play with light, creating unique images shaped by objects, exposure time, and sunlight’s unpredictability.

In this four-session program, you explore the practical side of lumen printing—processing images, gauging light intensity, and selecting the right paper. Experiment with exposure times, try multiple exposures, and use dodging and burning to create subtle gradients and shadows. Notice how transparency, texture, and shape influence each image. Work with cut paper masks and painted mylar to shift forms and effects. Explore digital negatives and bring in unexpected materials like ice or liquids to push your compositions in new, abstract directions.

Each class session includes a short slide presentation for context and inspiration, featuring artists working with photograms, lumen printing, and related processes, followed by a review of student assignment images, a demonstration of a new technique, and time for questions.

Weekly assignments build on each demonstration, with space to either refine new skills or approach each project independently. By the end of the workshop, you leave with a selection of prints and the knowledge to continue the magic of making lumen prints on your own.