“Treasure” by Kate Heuston, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Parts used: Berries/seed cones
Amount: 5 berries/seed cones for 1 print
Extracted by: Mortar
Solvent: Alcohol – vodka
Application: Brushing
Layers: 3
Substrate: Arches watercolour paper, cold press, 90 lbs
Created with: Photogram of leaves
Exposure: 20 hours in the last week of September through October, autumn 2026
UV strength: 4-7
Temperature: 18-27° Celsius or 65-80° Fahrenheit
Contrast: ✘ (Almost none)
Challenges or observations: I collected the berries in September, but many had already fallen and dried out a little, which I think is unusual for that time of year. The weather had been very dry. I also wonder whether exposing the print during the summer, when UV levels are higher, would have produced stronger contrast.
Additional information: The “berries” on the Eastern Red Cedar tree are actually modified seed cones. Like other coniferous cones, they contain seeds, but they have a fleshy, bluish-grey outer layer that makes them look like berries.
Instagram: @kate.heuston
Facebook: facebook.com/kate.heuston.14
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) anthotype by Kate Heuston
This anthotype is part of World Anthotype Day
World Anthotype Day - celebrated annually since 2022 was started by AlternativePhotography.com. Our global community of artists celebrates the anthotype process by submitting prints. These works are added to our database here and compiled into reference books. The purpose is to build a large resource where artist can learn which pigments and plants work and draw inspiration from others. The reference books can be found here:
Volume 1 is the first book in the series:
Volume 1 contains 60 unique anthotype emulsions from 103 artists taking part from 31 countries.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2022
Volume 2 is the second book:
Volume 2 contains 100 unique anthotype emulsions from 139 artists taking part from 31 countries.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 2 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2023
Volume 3 is the third book:
Volume 3 pushes the boundaries with emulsions not only from plants and pigments, but also from beans, moss and mushrooms. 135 artists shared their research.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 3 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2024
Volume 4 will be the fourth book:
In Volume 4 we will combine entries from both 2025 and 2026 into one beautiful double edition to include even more inspiring work, insights, and pigments to explore. The release for the combined World Anthotype Day book is planned for November 2026 – a richer, more comprehensive collection worth the wait.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 4 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2025 and 2026
If you want to learn more about making anthotypes there is also the first "how-to" book:
Make prints using plants - an environmentally safe process!The first book solely dedicated to Anthotypes.
Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants
Rated 9,8 - based on 224 votes
And also the Complete Guide and How-To book:
Learn everything there is to know about anthotypes in the updated edition 2 of our popular How-To book.The extended and complete guide to Anthotypes.
Anthotypes - The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight
If you are already practising anthotype printing, we suggest making notes to document and learn:
50 pre-defined pages for you to document your anthotype process.
Anthotype notes – Document your anthotype process
Rated 10 - based on 8 votes
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World Anthotype Day
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