Learn About Art!

Lumen Printing

What is a Lumen Print?

Summary:

A lumen print is an alternative photography process– that uses no camera! The definition of photography is “the art and science of capturing images using light.” To make a lumen print, we use a select amount of materials, put them together, and leave them outside to bask in the sunlight. This can be done at home!

Materials:

To make a lumen print, you need the following items:

  • Any size picture frame that has a glass cover, not plastic!
  • Any object that can be flattened. (I use flowers.)
  • Any acidic liquid. I use lemon juice, but many fruits and other acidic liquids can all have different effects and outcomes.
  • Fiber photo paper, which can be purchased online or at any photography store. 
  • Photo fixer, which can also be purchased online or at any photography store.
  • A red light. You can get these for cheap online.
  • A shallow, long bin.
  • The sun! This can’t be done at night unless you have a UV light box.

Process:

The steps to make a lumen print are as follows:

  1. Gather materials (do NOT take the photo paper out of its box until step 4! It is light sensitive.)
  2. Bring your materials to a dark enclosed space with no windows, such as a bathroom or a closet. 
  3. Plug the red light in, shut off the lights, and if there are any windows, make sure to cover them with a blanket! We want as little light as possible, preferably none.
  4. Open the frame, flip it over, take the cardboard back piece out, and leave the glass cover inside.
  5. Dip your squishable items into the acidic liquid, or cover them with it as much as you can, and then place them onto the glass. Splashing the liquid on the glass will also make a cool effect!
  6. Once your items are on, place the photo paper with the shiny and smooth side down so that it is touching the objects and glass. Place the cardboard back on and close the frame. Close and seal the box/bag that the photo paper came in.
  7. Quickly bring the entire frame outside. Let it bask in the sun for about ten minutes (if it doesn’t turn out how you would like, you can always try again and experiment with different times.)
  8. Bring the frame inside, back to the makeshift dark room, and remove the frame and all objects. Turn the lights off again, keeping the red light on.
  9. Pour a thin layer of the fixer into the tub. Dip the lumen print into the liquid, fully submerging it, and instantly take it back out to rinse with water (it fades quickly.) Now the lumen print is complete!
  10. (OPTIONAL): I like to scan my lumen print into the computer so I can have a digital copy, and so the paper is not warped from all the liquid.