Chlorophyll Printing with Artificial Light: Using Grow Lights

Can chlorophyll prints be made using artificial light?

The answer is yes — and I have been working with chlorophyll printing using artificial light since 2023.

In my practice, I use LED grow lights as a light source to create images directly on leaves. This method has proven to be both reliable and deeply inspiring, especially when natural sunlight is not available.

Why use artificial light for chlorophyll printing?

Printing with grow lights feels like a fascinating irony to me. A light designed to give life and accelerate plant growth is used instead to create an image through the controlled degradation of chlorophyll.

It is magical and poetic at the same time.

While natural sunlight will always be my first choice for chlorophyll printing, artificial light becomes a powerful alternative during rainy seasons or long winters, allowing the process to continue independent of weather conditions.

Grow lights as an alternative to sunlight

For my work, I use a 60W full-spectrum LED grow light panel. There are many grow light brands available, and most of them can work well for chlorophyll prints, as long as there is a careful balance between light intensity, heat, and humidity.

Just like when working with sunlight, exposure time varies depending on the type and thickness of the leaves, but generally requires a minimum of around 8 hours…

No post-processing: impermanence as part of the work

I do not apply any post-processing to my chlorophyll prints. I love the poetry that surrounds the disappearance of the image. In a way, everything returns to nature.

I simply pause to admire the present moment — and then the work decides when it is time to leave.

This impermanence is not a limitation, but an essential part of plant-based and alternative photographic processes.

Tips for printing with artificial light

If you would like to experiment with chlorophyll printing using grow lights, here are a few simple tips:

• Use a full-spectrum grow light
• Avoid placing the light too far from the leaves
• Carefully monitor heat and humidity
• Allow sufficient exposure time and let the leaves guide the process

If you feel inspired to bring this magic into your home, you can find my available work for here.