Formulas and how-to – AlternativePhotography.com

Figure 13: Image Transfer over Cyanotype: Cyanotype and image transfers applied overlapping onto paper.

Hand Sanitiser + Cyanotype Transfers

Want to explore an experimental combination of hand sanitiser and cyanotypes? Julie Mixon shares an inexpensive, accessible way to expand the traditional cyanotype process by introducing photographic color, layering, masking, double exposures, and other visual effects. Learn about the challenges such as paper expansion and image registration, and try a flexible way to experiment with combining photographic images and cyanotype. Writer and photography / Julie Mixon Internet searches for things … Read more

The Entries for World Anthotype Day 2023

Call for entries: World Anthotype Day – open for entries! Take part!

The initiative of World Anthotype Day was started here by us, and the first event took place 2022. This will now (hopefully with your support) be an annual event on the 3rd Saturday in August last Saturday in October. It is a global event, and everyone who is an experienced or aspiring anthotyper is invited to take part. The FIFTH World Anthotype Day will open in August. It seems like a … Read more

Anthotypes – The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight

All you need to know about anthotypes – NOW AVAILABLE BOTH AS PAPERBACK, COILBOUND PAPERBACK and EBOOK! – expands the original publication into a more complete technical and educational reference. Building on several years of continued testing, teaching, and revision, this edition addresses chemical, material, and process-related questions that could not be fully covered in an introductory format. Edition 2 of the “how-to” book on anthotypes by Malin Fabbri … Read more

All 4 Lumen prints. From left to right: 5 minute exposure, 30 minute exposure, 2 day exposure and 2 months exposure.

Lumen Printing: How Exposure Time Changes the Image – from 5 minutes to 2 months (!) exposure!

Lumen printing is a simple cameraless photographic process where photographic paper is exposed to the sun. But the exposure time can greatly affect the result. Malin Fabbri shows how a short 5-minute print compares to 30 minutes, 2 days and – just to push the limits – an extremely long 2-month exposure time. See the difference! Writer and photography / Malin Fabbri Lumen printing is a cameraless photographic process that … Read more

Raw or Cooked? Comparing Dry and Wet Anthotype Emulsions

Can a wet anthotype last longer? Anthotypes are known for their delicate beauty and their temporary nature. Made from light-sensitive plant pigments, they gradually fade over time, making impermanence part of the process. But what happens if the emulsion is exposed while it is still wet instead of allowing it to dry first? In this article, Chilean artist María Piedad Aguirre compares dry with wet anthotypes. She explores how different … Read more

Figure 4. Six Layer (CMYKLCLM) Gum Bichromate Print on Fabriano Artistico Cold Press Paper

A Non-Toxic Gelatin-acrylic Sizing for Gum Bichromate and Other Processes

Gelatin-acrylic sizing provides a reliable, non-toxic alternative to traditional paper sizing for gum bichromate printing. Marek Matusz explains how combining gelatin with acrylic medium improves adhesion, reduces pigment staining, and produces consistent multi-layer prints. He compares several formulas, recommends his preferred mixture, and shows how the sizing also works well for cyanotype, palladium, and gum-over prints. Writer and photography / Marek Matusz WARNING: This is for experienced and advanced users. … Read more

Eco-printing: How to Print with Leaves, Rust, and Heat

Eco-printing is not generally defined as an alternative photographic process, but a closely related printing technique. it shares the same spirit of experimentation, natural materials, and handcrafted image-making. It also combines beautifully with processes such as anthotypes, which is why we want to share it. Yulia Kapustynska shares her eco-printing process. Writer and photography / Yulia Kapustynska Eco-printing creates images through direct contact between plants, metal, paper, heat, and time. … Read more

Measuring Cyanotype Chemicals Without a Scale – including Cheat Sheet

A practical guide to measuring cyanotype chemicals with teaspoons and tablespoons. Many cyanotype practitioners (I am one example) like to work with precise measurements and repeatable results using a gram scale, but beginners may not yet have invested in a gram scale. Fortunately, there is another option using spoons. I measured common kitchen measuring spoons filled with cyanotype chemicals 20 times each and calculated the averages. The results provide a … Read more

A graphic of the swatches before exposure, behind their respective swatches after exposure/toning. The turmeric + cayenne + BPF gin was omitted from the graphic.

Impatient Anthotypes: High-Contrast, Quick-Exposure Emulsions

The anthotype process transforms everyday plants and food into beautiful, light-sensitive prints, but it is often slow and unpredictable. In this experiment, Mariam Matta set out to explore high-contrast, quick-exposure anthotype emulsions that could offer faster results without sacrificing detail. By testing a variety of plant pigments, alcohol thinners, and toners, she aimed to identify combinations that are both reliable and visually striking and shares the results in this article. … Read more

Lumen Notes – Document Your Lumen, Cyanolumen, Chemilumen and Phytogram Printing

by Malin Fabbri Buy the Lumen notebook here – published by AlternativePhotography.com Lumen printing can involve a lot of testing, and photographic paper is not cheap. Keeping notes can help reduce trial and error and make better use of the paper. Record which paper was used and the conditions it was exposed. I tend to forget those details down the line. The notebook contains 50 pre-designed pages for documenting … Read more

Wet Cyanotype Notes – Document your experimental printing

by Malin Fabbri Buy the wet cyanotype notebook here – published by AlternativePhotography.com Wet cyanotypes are playful but unpredictable. For me, it is also one of the hardest processes to remember afterwards. By documenting, I have learned to “read” the finished print to see where I did what. I sketch the print in the notebook and mark where I added different additives. I write down what was added where. … Read more

Supplies for making a solargraph: 2 drinking cans, can opener, electric tape, duct tape, scissors, a needle and photographic paper.

Building a Pinhole Camera and Making Solargraphs

For Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the simplicity and potential of pinhole photography. It was a while since I made a camera, so it was nice to be inspired by Justin Quinnell’s pinhole resource and Heather Palecek’s article. Building a pinhole camera is very easy. Solargraphs require patience, but the result is a unique record of time and the movement of … Read more

A six-month solarigraph made in Alicante, Spain, orienation: W / photo: D. L. Calvín

Solarigraphy – From its origin until today

Solarigraphy is a photographic method that uses very long exposures – often around six months—to record the Sun’s paths with simple pinhole cameras. Paweł Kula shares how it started with the “Solaris” project, which combines observation, DIY making, and global sharing. It reveals slow changes in landscapes and cities, while encouraging experimentation and an open, collaborative approach to photography. Writer / Paweł Kula Photography / Paweł Kula, K. Smoleński, D. … Read more

My Smith-Victor A-12 in use, exposing a 6x9 print. This is a convenient way for me to create preliminary images in preparation for larger work. I use the sun for larger pieces and have done so for over 30 years. This style of lamp and the sun might work for you!

Simpler Lighting for Gum Printing

Gum printer and educator Peter J. Blackburn shares two simple, experience-based tips for making gum bichromate printing more approachable. He challenges unnecessarily complicated workflows and shows two options for lighting: The sun and indoors. Writer and photography / Peter J. Blackburn There is no shortage of instructions and opinions for creating gum prints, my writings included. But it seems the more I print, the more I learn, and the more … Read more

How to capture time with a Solargraph

Solargraphy is an alternative pinhole photography process that records the sun’s movement across the sky over extremely long exposures – from a single day to several years. Heather Palecek, artist and author of Intro to Solargraphy shares the method. The result is a striking record of time passing: glowing arcs of sunlight combined with only those elements that remained still throughout the exposure. Writer and photography / Heather Palecek “Solargraphy … Read more

The final vertotype print with subtle tones.

Vertotypes – Eco-printing, based on cyanotypes

During a residency at The Sustainable Darkroom, Pedro Mendes Leal learned Vertotype – a technique discovered by Jonathan Bradley, similar to cyanotype, but developed with greater environmental awareness. Since then, he has been experimenting with and refining the process and shares what he has learned. Writer and photography / Pedro Mendes Leal Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. … Read more

FerroBlend: A Blended Ferrocyanide Printing Process

An introduction to FerroBlend for the experienced alternative photographic artist. FerroBlend’s inventor Raghavendra Udupa (also known as Raghu Kuvempunagar on online forums) shares the process, which is a recent iron-based alternative photographic process that blends cyanotype and cuprotype chemistries to produce expressive duo-tone prints, extending the creative range of non-silver image-making. Writer / Raghavendra Udupa Photography / Raghavendra Udupa, Sabir Ahmed, Debanjan Dasgupta, Ramesh Adkoli, Rajkumar Krishna WARNING: This is … Read more

Printable Cheat Sheet: Cyanotype Recipes Without a Scale

Cheat Sheets for Alternative Photographic Processes

This cheat sheet is part of an evolving resource collection for alternative photographic processes, and more will be added over time. They are free to Supporting Members as part of their membership. For non-members, the sheets can be purchased individually. Becoming a member not only gives you free access to all current and future cheat sheets, but also helps support the ongoing development of our free learning resources – yes, … Read more

WORKSHOP – Advanced Anthotype and Experimental Cyanotype Explorations with Malin Fabbri, June 1-6, Norway

For EARLY BIRD sign up offer or questions, contact post@nordphotography.com The Alchemy of Sunlight DATES: June 1-6, 2027 LOCATION: Saga – Inderøy – Norway More info and sign up here Join Malin Fabbri, founder and editor of AlternativePhotography.com and author of several books on cyanotype, anthotype, and alternative photographic processes, for an exclusive week of learning, experimentation, and image-making in a small group setting. This intensive hands-on course combines studio … Read more

Very Large Array, Socorro, New Mexico, Mordançage. Copyright J. Jason Lazarus An example of re-applied emulsion by use of an eyedropper.

Mordançage: Hard-Won Lessons from Six Years in the Darkroom

After six years and more than two dozen prints, J. Jason Lazarus has discovered that Mordançage is far from a straightforward process. Beyond formulas and safety notes lie the real lessons — those learned through torn veils, unpredictable chemistry, and long hours navigating fragile emulsions. Jason shares practical insights, tools, and workflow refinements that have made the process more manageable. Writer and photography / J. Jason Lazarus WARNING: This is … Read more

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