Sunday Strollers – © John Neel

My images are also notations. These are about time.

“Photography is in part about time. Life is time.”

The following images were created using a variety of slit scan techniques.

Slit scanning is normally done with a camera that has a slit in the light path. The slit only allows a sliver of the scene to be exposed at any given point. Usually, the film is moved through the camera as the camera is panned across the subject. The concept is similar to a flatbed scanner. Anything passing in front of the slit is recorded.

The stretching that occurs depends on the speed of the scan, the speed of the subject and the direction the  subjects move.

With digital, a slit can be simulated. Software can be used to capture a single column of pixels of a video over time. At times, I use a paint program called Studio Artist.

I have used many techniques, which can be accomplished with a variety of other software and camera functions. Many newer digital cameras and some smart phones can produce similar results with an app.

A few of these images were created in Photoshop. Others were done with a software called Processing. Occasionally, I use a paint program called – Studio Artist. I have also hacked a flatbed scanner into a slit scan camera.

The technique of slit scanning has been around for a long time. I see it as an experimental technique that is a lot of fun and sometimes hard to predict exactly what will transpire. However, I love the surprise of seeing what happens. That anticipation is a big part of the fun. I am rarely disappointed.

I love to experiment with all kinds of photographic techniques. Slit scanning opens new doors for seeing the world.

Roadway in Snow – © John Neel – Slit Scan Video Still

Face-time – © John Neel

Traffic – © John Neel

Walking – © John Neel

Log – © John Neel

Read about other great photographic techniques in my book Rethinking Digital Photography.

Please have a look at some of my other posts here.

NOTICE of Copyright: THIS POSTING AS WELL AS ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, GALLERY IMAGES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE COPYRIGHT © JOHN NEEL AND ARE NOT TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE WRITER, THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR lensgarden.com. THE IDEAS EXPRESSED ARE THE PROPERTY OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER AND THE AUTHOR.