Would you like to support us? We believe this resource should be free and will NOT put up a paywall – so, please help us by becoming a Supporting Member to:
- Learn alternative processes with free information.
- Get inspired in our galleries.
- Connect with other photographers.
We believe learning should be hands-on, fun and inspiring. We regularly add more articles, galleries, and technical information that we think are useful to learn about alternative processes.
“The website and the events are really wonderful. You do so much keeping us all connected and inspired. Thank you. The ripple effect is felt and makes a difference in people’s lives.”
– Amy Heller, cyanotype artist
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Subscriptions are regular payments until you cancel, which you can do at any time. Whether you choose a monthly or a yearly subscription, the benefits are the same. We also appreciate one-off donation if you prefer not to become a member.
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“I must tell you how grateful I am for responding to the members-only calendar call for entry. That led me to a gallery on AlternativePhotography.com, which led me to a presence on Instagram, which has opened a new world of connections with amazing artists (traditional, alternative, painters, printmakers, on and on). I’ve been receiving such support and affirmation and have been able to give some back. All because of you – and new things keep developing! THANK YOU IS NOT NEARLY STRONG ENOUGH FOR HOW I FEEL.”
– Brian P. Nieman, teacher and photographer
“Thank you so much for all the dedicated work you put into running and editing the alternativephotography.com-website – I very much appreciate it. It’s such a great platform to inform oneself about all the alt-processes, and you spare no effort inspiring the community, connecting people and organising special events. I love reading about what other artists do and exactly how they do it – and off I run to work and experiment on something I was just introduced to.”
– Sonja Schaeffeler, photographer and cyanotype artist
“It is not an exaggeration to say that this site and the creative community it has spawned have changed my life. What began as a simple inquiry about how cyanotypes are done has grown into years of experimentation and rewarding creative expression, and I feel that I have barely scratched the surface. I still hesitate to call myself a photographer, but I’m happy and proud to be an alt process guy.”
– Spiffy Tumbleweed.
“Long time follower of the blog, I love the eclectic mix of work on show.
I followed your tintype step by step and finally managed to crack the process! It took a long time to finally source everything and achieve consistent results but I think I’ve nailed it!
Just wanted to let you know how useful your article was, I’ve been wanting to make tintypes since my teenage years.”
– Liam Smith – photography teacher and your number one fan.
– Rachel Sokal, Photographer and Workshop Facilitator.
“I want to thank you for the alternative processes photography web site that you edit and all of the efforts that you have made for those of us who have come to love this world of alternative process photography. At this time I only do cyanotypes but I hope to soon learn gum bichromates. Life was good before I starting into alternative process, but it great now.”
– Don Grant
This site takes a lot of work and maintenance, but we don’t charge for it, and we don’t get paid. We do this because we love doing it – and we also believe information should be free. Anyone should be able to access the knowledge they need to carry out their art. The more items we add to the site, the more popular the site gets. This is great. We want to keep doing this.
What we ask from you is that if you find the information here valuable and are able to contribute towards the cost of running the site – we would really appreciate it. The money will only go to running and improving the site, promoting the artists, and adding more functionality. Nothing else. No one gets paid.
- If you don’t like using PayPal there is an option to use Stripe, or, email us at talk@alternativephotography.com for an address to send a contribution.
- If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at talk@alternativephotography.com
AlternativePhotography.com appreciates your support – it is very welcome and we thank you very much.
An important note about Paypal and Stripe and your subscription
To keep subscribing to your Supporting Membership at AlternativePhotography.com you do not need to do anything. PayPal or Stripe will automatically draw the fee on the same date next year, but you can cancel any time you wish. There will be no notification from us before the fee is drawn next year (we don’t have an automatic system for this), so either make a note of the date you subscribed or change your PayPal or Stripe settings to receive notification emails.
To change or cancel your subscription you log in to your Paypal account. We do not have access to your PayPal account or your credit card details.
Please also note a little odd thing with Paypal… if you change or update your credit card details, your Subscription gets cancelled, but no worries, you can renew it easily, we get a notice if this happens and will pass the information on to you.
We are very grateful that you are considering becoming a supporting member and that you enjoy the website!
– Rebecca Bruyn – Artist
“Alternative Photography is probably the best way to get a brief overview of all the different alternative techniques. It’s a pity that I realised so late that I’m able to support this base of knowledge by getting a member. But now I am!”
– Christian Klant – photographer
– Els Wiering, artist
presence, and Malin’s generous spirit to be invaluable resources for the evolution of my own journey and artistic philosophy as I’ve been embracing many of these alternative processes and hands-on techniques to explore and express my own vision of pure imagination.”
– Stephanie Johnson, publisher of ICM Photography Magazine
Everyone in the team works on a voluntary basis, without getting paid. They give their spare time to enable others to learn, get inspired and connect. Below are the true heros. There are also many more contributors of articles. Big thanks to all!
Malin Fabbri
Editor
Malin Fabbri founded AlternativePhotography.com in 1999 and continues to work as the Editor and contributor. She is also an author and artist.
Jen Perena
Copy editor
Jen Perena is an artist working primarily with kallitypes and anthotypes. She is the organizer of the annual Alternative Paths exhibit and Alchemy & Light event in Rochester, NY.
Dennis Humprey
Copy editor
Dennis Humphrey is an interdisciplinary artist using digital photography, alternative photography (cyanotype and gum bichromate) as well as contemporary mixed media processes.
Nancy Breslin
Copy editor
Nancy Breslin from Washington, DC, USA works with a variety of techniques, including pinhole, cyanotype and gum.
Peter J. Blackburn
Contributor
Has been working in gum and casein bichromate printing for 30+ years. Represented by Afterimage Gallery, Dallas, Texas, since 2004 and occasional workshops.
Spiffy Tumbleweed
Moderator
Spiffy Tumbleweed lives and works in South Austin, Texas. He works mainly in pinhole photography, but also shares his work in albumen, cyanotype, gum, mordancage and Polaroid SX-70.
Crystal Denke Edwards
Moderator
Crystal Denke Edwards (previously Chrystal Jackson) from Southern California, shows her work in gum bichromated – for us to enjoy.
John Brewer
Moderator
Worked in alternative photography for 25 years and tried many of the alternative/historical processes and teaches gum bichromate and wetplate collodion.
Jalo Porkkala
Moderator
Jalo Porkkala studied photography and works in Finland. He works in just about every alternative process under the sun and shows everything from anthotypes to ziatypes.
Silvino González Morales
Moderator
Artist and photographer.
World Anthotype Day
World Cyanotype Day
Hello Tyler,
Welcome! And we are looking forward to seeing YOUR World Anthotype Day submission too! 🙂
Excited to discover there’s more to anthotypes than just turmeric! I went searching after seeing a few online, and I’ve looked through the entire database just this morning. I work at a farmer’s market so I have access to lots of different flowers, fruits, and vegetables – I can’t wait to get started! I just became a member so I can get the notebook and document everything. This kind of thing almost seems tailor-made for me to enjoy. Eager to see everyone’s submissions in October!
In an online world of photography sites that can be all so similar it was refreshing to come across your site. Can’t believe I hadn’t seen you before. Keep up the good work.
Dear Danielle,
Thank you! So happy you enjoy it!
Malin and the team you all do a fabulous job for the alternative photography community. Thank you all so much. The resources and articles are great. A great community to be involved with and people are always sharing. It’s always a great site to visit for inspiration. Thanks for coming up with the idea for this site 24 years ago Malin. It has been a pleasure to watch the development over the years.
Dear Allen,
Donations are one-off, so no need to cancel them, they are not recurring.
It looks like you cancelled your membership in 2023, so I belive you did manage to do it?
If, in the future, you have signed up for membership, to cancel it, this is how:
https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/what-is-an-automatic-payment-and-how-do-i-update-or-cancel-one-help240
If the above does not make sense, all you need to do is to get in touch. 🙂
I’ve got to say, it is impossible to cancel once you make a donation. Paypal does not have a record of the account and you conveniently state you have no control over your payment system.
I don’t mind supporting you, but I’ll not be forced to do so.
I will be disputing any further charges for a “donation”
Easily the best resource for all things alternative process on the internet. A treasure trove of information and inspiration for novice and experienced printers alike and simply one of my all time favorite websites. Always excited to learn something new and discover amazing artists in their newsletter.
Thank you for listing us in your books.
Yes, all run by volunteers. Many many hours of both hard work and fun.
We rely on members to help with costs.
The Alt Photo site is listed, with a description, in every edition of my book, New Dimensions in Photo Processes, from the first time I knew of it. I send friends and students to it if they have questions about how to do a technique because I am confident that reliable information will be offered.
But, Malin, I had NO idea you—and now others, I realize—do the work without being paid! I donate every year, but now I will make a larger contribution. THANK YOU ALL.
AlternativePhotography.com has played a pivotal role in shaping my professional journey, providing me with the necessary confidence and creative direction.
Thank you Rita!
Thank you Jacqui!
As a newcomer to the world of alternative photography it has been so great to discover this tribe of inspirational and supportive people along with the treasure trove of information available about all sorts of techniques.
Thanks so much to Malin and the fabulous bunch of volunteers that keep this community running.
Hi,
thank you for what is proposed by Alternative Photography. it’s fantastic to get the possibility to approach to the world of different photo- processes. At the moment I do cyanotypies and this makes me enjoyful to experiment how improving this technique.
Congratulation for the organzation and the staff
Rita
Thank you so much Ray, that’s exactly our mission!
For any teacher, alternative photographic processes can ensure a safe environment for children to discover image making, using light. Processes such as cyanotype and anthotype provide a wealth of opportunities for experimentation and creativity in the classroom and outside.
The Alternative Photography website and community allow real international exchange and documentation of tried and tested results of process exploration.
Thank you for your lovely praise!
As an artist whose practice is centered around experimental photography and historical photographic processes, AlternativePhotography.com has been an invaluable resource to me over many years. In today’s society, it is not often that one encounters access to comprehensive educational resources along with an experienced and supportive community FREE of cost. With the advent of digital photographic technologies as well as continued advances in VR and AR, it is imperative that the art of alternative photographic processes not be lost to time. AlternativePhotography.com is a treasure chest of information; ensuring that historical photographic processes will continue to live, with access provided to all regardless of financial wherewithal. Thank you for your dedication to this art form.
Alternative Photo has been an amazing resource and reference for me over the years! Whether I want a refresher, find inspiration or learn a new process – I can find everything I need here.
Hi,
I stumbled onto your site via Cafe and excitedly thought that I had found a potential show in which to enter my very alternative photography. Alas, I think that I do not fit into the mold. I am a sculptor and a photographer and began in the early 1960’s using wet darkrooms and hand tinting while participating in the Earthworks and Conceptual arts movements in the San Francisco Bay area art scenes and schools. I spent years working in abstract metal sculpture and pursued documentary and abstract photography.
A few years ago I began to sculpt my large photographs. I find that sculpting the photographs satisfies my desire to sculpt using heavy weight art paper, in stead of metal. The photographic subject matter is usually captured in the fabulous reflections discovered in the huge chrome bumpers and paint jobs found on1950’s automobiles.
Yes, I do use a large Epson digital printer and work on heavy fine art paper supplied by Epson. I process my images very minimally. I have felt for some time that PhotoShop has ruined most photography. I do use Lightroom’s tools that mimic the manipulations that I could use in the old, wet darkrooms. I do fanatically believe that the capture of the photograph is the most important part of the process.
I have seen a few attempts by photographers to add real depth to their work, but usually it only involves folding the paper, or cutting it up. It would take a large investment of time to learn how to actually sculpt the images. If you are curious, visit my website and you will see that I include frontal and side shots of some of the work so that it’s depth can be perceived in spite of our flat screens.
I do enjoy the processes that I have developed, but it is a bit lonely out here. I have been in a few good shows, however my list of rejections would be enough to discourage most artists. The fine art world is still weary about photography (particularly the overused digital photography) and the photography world is…………………..still rather flat.
Congrats on your interesting and important site.
Yours,
Abigail