Neusüss has been making photograms since 1954, sometimes using environmental forces such as rain and lightening to create his work. Cordier, a.k.a. Mr. Chemigram, discovered the method in 1956 while trying to impress a girl, creating a technique so “diabolical and beautiful” that Brassaї urged him never to divulge it. Derges uses large bodies of water, moonlight, and sound waves to generate her images, whereas Miller keeps it simple — utilizing time, light, and local flora to enhance his severe and abstract motifs. Fuss’ work is an ongoing examination of life, death, and revelation, using emblematic subjects such as babies, snakes, and butterflies. While the featured artists are each pioneers of camera-less photography in their own right, together they comprise the most substantial living innovators of the digital age.

Shadow Catchers runs October 13-February 20 at the V&A’s Porter Gallery in London.