Photosynthesis directly or indirectly supports almost all life forms on Earth. Photosynthesis starts when photons emitted by the Sun enter specific pigment molecules — chlorophyll contained in the membranes of the chloroplast cell organelles, ones that color the leaf green. It is chlorophyll in the process of photosynthesis that chemically reacts to the sunlight.

Photosensitivity is the ability of a substance to change its chemical or physical properties under sunlight exposure. Photography is closely related to this process. Kliment Timiryazev, botanist, first began to experiment with photosynthesis and discovered that light is absorbed through the grains of chlorophyll. Timiryazev named his own method of research “The photographic self-registration of the chlorophyll function on a living plant.”

After numerous experiments with different plants, I’ve elaborated a photosensitive emulsion, by which printing is carried out. This is analcoholic extract of chlorophyll produced from the ficus leaves. Chlorophyll and the process of photosynthesis caused prints to acquire a light green color. The emulsion does not contain silver salts and other nonbiological chemical elements, therefore, the image is not fixed: over time, the color fades and then disappears completely.

Artificial flowers are placed on emulsified paper and illuminated by an ultraviolet lamp. They develop and come to life from the dead through the process of photosynthesis, which in turn plays a leading role in the biosphere processes, globally forming organic matter from inorganic. Transformation of the living into the dead to represent life in a new specific dimension. — Katya Pryanik