“The Temporality of Duration: An Exploratory Study on Slit-Scan Photography” by Wang and Zhang
Conference:
Type(s):
Title:
- The Temporality of Duration: An Exploratory Study on Slit-Scan Photography
Session/Category Title:
- Seeing Space and Time
Presenter(s)/Author(s):
Moderator(s):
Abstract:
This study investigates innovative applications of Slit-Scan Photography (SSP) in artistic creation, addressing its technical limitations in capturing temporal duration and spatial continuity. While traditional SSP decomposes time into linear fragments through progressive exposure, it faces challenges including: 1) heightened exposure complexity (expanding exposure parameters from 3 to 4 variables), 2) stringent film requirements (reciprocity failure in prolonged exposures), 3) mechanical instability (uneven servo motor motion causing exposure artifacts), and 4) contamination risks (static-attracted debris in submillimeter slits). Proposing a novel theoretical framework based on David Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, the research develops an automated SSP system featuring: a servo-driven slit shutter with quadruple exposure controls (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, slit width), an advanced HMI for precision timing/directional scanning, and a 4×5 large-format camera prototype integrated with an automatic ND filter system (dynamic range >14 stops). The technical breakthroughs enable the creation of three-dimensional imagery merging 2D space with 1D temporal continuity, transcending traditional photography’s instantaneous constraints. Case studies demonstrate how magnetic-field visualization and cosmic simulations in works like Chronicles of Creation achieve unprecedented spatiotemporal expression. Beyond technical advancements, the study philosophically reinterprets Henri Bergson’s durée concept through SSP’s capacity to materialize time’s fluidity. Experimental results show 78% reduction in exposure errors compared to conventional SSP methods, while the adaptive ND system reduces reciprocity failure incidents by 63%. This interdisciplinary fusion of precision engineering (±0.005mm slit control accuracy) and aesthetic innovation expands photographic language, offering new possibilities for spacetime representation in visual arts. The system’s application in capturing high-speed phenomena (e.g., magnetic flux transitions) further validates its potential for scientific imaging and contemporary art practice.
References:
[1] A. Kolb and D. Kolb. 2018. Eight important things to know about the experiential learning cycle. Aust. Educ. Leader. 40, 3 (2018), 8–14.
[2] L. Lawlor and V. Moulard-Leonard. 2004. Henri Bergson. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved June 5, 2025 from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/bergson/.
[3] G. Deleuze. 2019. Cinema II: The Time-Image. In Philosophers on Film from Bergson to Badiou: A Critical Reader. Columbia University Press, New York, NY, 177–199.
[4] L. M. R. da S. Cabral. 2011. Slit-Scan. Master’s thesis. Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Portugal.
[5] F. I. Parke. 1980. Adaptation of scan and slit-scan techniques to computer animation. In Proc. SIGGRAPH ’80. ACM, New York, NY, 178–181.
[6] M. Li. 2017. From “Moment” to “Eternity”. Master’s thesis. Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
