Light Chamber Exposure
Light Chamber Exposure (LCE) combines traditional darkroom practices with alternative photographic approaches through a specialized camera system. This process integrates large format photography and projection to create distinctive photographic works.
The LCE system consists of a 4x5 view-camera body paired with a specialized Polaroid or film back, complemented by a 35mm film projector. Additional materials include watercolor media, specialized dyes, darkroom timing equipment, and custom-fabricated dodging and burning tools. The process also incorporates tissue papers and etched glass sheets that function as creative filtering elements during exposure.
The operational workflow differs from conventional photography by replacing the traditional enlarger with a projector-based system. Instead of using negative films, the process employs painted slide positives, allowing for direct creative intervention during image-making. During exposure, unexposed film or Polaroid material is positioned opposite an etched glass plate and projection system, creating opportunities for unique visual effects.
What sets LCE apart is its approach to exposure control and image capture. While conventional darkroom work involves dodging and burning during the printing phase, LCE incorporates these practices directly into the capture phase. The camera system functions as both capturing device and creative medium, offering control over the final image during the exposure process itself, connecting technical photography with creative expression while remaining rooted in fundamental photographic principles.