Chromagens
The Chromagen process involves applying various developing agents directly
to the surface of color photographic paper. The composition, dilution and
temperature of the developing agents affect the final hues and values of
the image elements. The application of these developing agents employs
all the usual (and some unusual) methods of putting liquids to flat surfaces.
Very fine detail results from the way the chemicals interact with each
other and the emulsion layers of the paper's surface. Each Chromagen is
a monotype. The Chromagen process does not use intermediate imaging elements
such as transparencies, negatives, digital files or transfer matrices .
Because Chromagens are not pictures of material things, the images become
representations of ideas, like the elements of dreams. Some of these dream
pictures are happy, beautiful, even humorous There are also dream images
of fears and frustrations. These feelings come from a level of consciousness
that is less tied to "things" and "rational" thoughts. Whatever the viewer
experiences while looking at a Chromagen depends on what the viewer brings
to the viewing.
