Phytography
Outcome of the phytography workshop with Karel Doing, organised by Art Cinema OFFoff in Ghent.
Phytography uses the organic and chemical properties of plants to produce images without a camera, letting the living world become both subject and medium.
Phytography (or phytogram) is a plant-based photographic technique developed by Karel Doing. It relies on the natural chemical reaction between plants and a photosensitive emulsion, activated by sunlight. Unlike traditional photography, it requires no camera and no darkroom — the image emerges directly from the encounter between organic matter, light, and time.
Leaves, petals, or other plant materials are soaked in a simple solution of water, soda, and vitamin C to enhance their reactivity. When placed on photographic paper or film and exposed to daylight, they leave their own traces — stains, colors, and silhouettes produced by their internal chemistry. The process can be performed outdoors or in any well-lit space, and the results are fixed using salt water or standard photographic fixer. Each phytogram is both an image and an imprint, revealing the material presence and energy of plants themselves. Rather than capturing a representation of nature, phytography allows nature to become the image-maker.
For more info : https://kareldoing.net/phy/Phytography.html
From this workshop, I developed a short video and a photographic series, which I presented as my final-year project at the Molenbeek Art Academy. After exposing the film with plants and the reactive solution, I scanned the developed strips using an enlarger, revealing the delicate textures and organic forms produced by the process.
