Solargraphy

Solargraphy sun trails appear during sunny periods—their height in the sky is based on latitude and time of year. The colours are a byproduct of the extremely long exposures and the chemical breakdown of the paper.

Solargraphy – Part Art – Part Science – Part Chaos

Solargraphy is an alternative photography process that uses homemade pinhole cameras and traditional light-sensitive black and white photo paper to capture very long exposures of the sun's movement across the sky. Over days, weeks and months, a single image is constructed, revealing a truly one-of-a-kind view of space, time and weather patterns that we are otherwise unable to see. The exposed sun tracks show a gradual day-to-day change due to the Earth's 23.4° axial tilt and slightly elliptical orbit. The height of each track is based on the latitude of the exposure location and the time of the year it's recorded. The lowest possible track is made on the winter solstice and the highest on the summer solstice. Missing, faint or broken tracks result when clouds or something else obscures the sun.

The colours are not direct depictions of the scene but a consequence of the paper's chemical reactions to extreme overexposure, the influence of uncontrollable factors such as moisture, dirt or fungus that may invade the camera, and excessive temperature fluctuations. Additionally, each brand of photography paper has a unique chemical makeup, resulting in different colour schemes.

If developed traditionally, the photo paper would turn completely black, and using fixer would remove much of the colour. Instead, the extreme exposure times burn an image into the paper without any additional steps. A high-quality flatbed scan is made of the resulting negative even though it's still light-sensitive, meaning that the light from the scanner will damage or destroy the image as it works its way across the paper. Finally, it is inverted, horizontally flipped and processed in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Seen on the Weather Network: The science and celebration of the Summer Solstice by Scott Sutherland.

Limited Edition Fine Art Prints

Craftsmanship

The images above are available as handcrafted limited edition fine art photographic prints made using Epson's UltraChrome PRO10 Ink System and the best museum-grade photo papers available. The paper and ink combination results in stunning, rich prints with extraordinary presence and incredible depth and dimensionality. They promise to elevate any room.

Each piece is signed and editioned and includes a certificate of authenticity.

Fade Resistance / Print Longevity

The pigment-based inks feature industry-leading fade-resistance of up to 200 years for colour and 400 years for black and white, as tested by Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. The papers used are Acid and lignin free, pH Buffered, and don't use optical brightening agents, meaning your prints will continue to look pristine for generations.

Guarantee

It is impossible to fully convey the look and feel of the actual photograph on a computer screen. Physical prints have to be seen in person to appreciate their beauty and subtle detail fully. I guarantee if you are not completely happy with your purchase, you can return it for a complete refund.

Ordering Prints

On the top right of each gallery thumbnail page is an orange Inquire About Prints button. Clicking it will open a form for you to fill out. I will respond with information about available print sizes, edition numbers, costs, etc. Alternatively, I'm happy to speak with you on the phone at +1 647-220-6578.

Testimonials

Just wanted to thank you again for sharing your vision of such dark and ruinous beauty. I'm so pleased with these pieces and glad to add them to my collection. –Erin M.

Today I found a very nice surprise on my back porch - yay!! The print is here and I absolutely love it. Beautiful. Thank you again! –Michelle M.

I very much appreciated your taking the time to show me your pictures and giving me some insight into your thinking and your process. You know I am an admirer of your work, and I would be truly honored to have a print of the Dunluce Castle photo in our home. It is an extraordinary picture, and I responded very strongly to it the minute I saw it in your book.

I took the picture to my framer today. Wow. The print is spectacular! Amazing detail both in the foreground and at a distance. Really thrilling to see on this large scale. –Peter F.

I have looked at many prints of castle ruins but yours nearly pulled me inside the damp ancient walls. You have mastered your craft and your work speaks for itself. I can only imagine the places you have seen in your line of work. I have a wife and three grown kids but am still a hopeless romantic . Have not written a poem in 50 years. The Transience of Power made me sit down with pencil and paper! When finished, I would be glad to send you a copy if you wish. Take care and God bless –Bill S.

I just received the prints. They are stunning, as I expected. –Gaelle C.

I loved this photo the moment I saw it, and my husband also likes it. –Lynn W.

Thanks so much. I'm so happy with it! –Julie W.

I'd love to buy a print of one of your pictures of Skellig - it's always been an important spiritual landmark for me. Maybe you could choose one? The one here, on the email, with the beehive cells looks fantastic. -Michael H.

The photos arrived on Thursday. They look terrific. They are being framed this week. We will send a picture to you once they are hung. Thanks for your help and have a great holiday season. -Rick K.