Taitographs are derived from simple instructions, presented in the right sequence generating coherent complex images. Fractals are also produced in this way.
     The machines vary; each has a particular system built in and only produces a specific range of drawings. Most are analogue electro-mechanical devices whilst some of the images displayed were generated on a digital calculator and an XY plotter. The preferred drawing method is a light pen on to photographic paper but many images a have been derived from pen drawings.



     In the past Taitographs were realised by means of autographic techniques. They are now processed on a computer using Adobe Photoshop. The creative process is still the same, Photoshop has just replaced the printing press.      
In many machine instructions, large elements of ‘quasi-random’ effects are deliberately built-in. The ‘trick’ is to be able to know or feel where they should go in the programme. The skill in generating images lies in the intuitive writing of the instructions together with the judgement to select those images to be developed in the print process. Visualisation skills are needed where the results are imagined before programming or even building the machines. However the results do not always turn out as expected and the grace to accept the surprise outcome is an essential component of the creative process. Curiosity is the mainspring and the excitement comes from never quite knowing what the machine will do. There could be similarities in some types of photography.