Formulas and how-to

Cuprotype toning

Working Process for Cuprotypes

The cuprotype is a process that uses similar chemistry to a cyanotype and a relatively forgiving, inexpensive and flexible process. Frank Gorga shares his working method for cuprotype. Writer and photography / Frank Gorga Background of cuprotypes Copper-based images (cuprotypes) were first described by Burnett in the 1850s. The process was modified/refined by Obernetter in the 1860s. However, the process was never particularly popular and sat more-or-less dormant for roughly … Read more

Anna Atkins created labels with the specimen's scientific name at the bottom of the page.

How to print an Anna Atkins cyanotype

Apart from being a brilliant scientist and botanist, Anna Atkins was also an artist. She created numerous prints from plants, lace and feather arrangements. This is how you can print your own cyanotypes in Anna Atkins’ style. We have done research, but not managed to find out a lot on paper or oils used, so if you possess ANY knowledge at all in terms of which paper or oil was … Read more

Cyanotype Notes - Document your cyanotype process

Cyanotype notes – Document your cyanotype process

by Malin Fabbri   Buy the cyanotype notebook here – published by AlternativePhotography.com This notebook contains pre-defined pages with enough room to document 50 cyanotypes that will help you narrow down a universe of options to the perfect combination. $00.00 Download printable eBook (PDF) directly. Free for Supporting Members – become a member and email talk@alternativephotography.com. If you are already a member, email us and we’ll send it! $8.00 Download … Read more

Calvin Grier Techinical Guide to Gum printing

Technical Guide to Gum Printing

by Calvin Grier If you have worked in the Gum bichromate process for some time and want to take it to the next level, this book could be for you. Buy “Technical Guide to Gum Printing” directly from Calvin Grier $49.95   for eBook – download direct.     Why buy it here? When you choose the option to buy directly from the author, the book is shipped by the author … Read more

Gunter Willhelm Gum bichromate

Günther Wilhelm

Günther Wilhelm has been working with historical photographic techniques for 20+ years. He shares his gum bichromates here but also works in a range of other processes such as cyanotype, salt, albumen and kallitype. From: Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany. Shows: Albumens, Cuprotypes and Gum bichromates. Günther Wilhelm, visual artist from Ludwigshafen on the Rhine, has been working with historical photographic techniques, the so-called “Edeldrucke”, which involve transferring a photography on … Read more

Bromoil print Uncoated. Spots very evident.

Bromoil Process – Cure for White Spots

White spots have become an ever-increasing issue when making Bromoil prints, and this is not limited to one paper manufacturer. This is how you solve it. Writer and photography / Dave Symonds FRPS EFIAP Papers used for bromoil: Foma 112 & 113 & Other Papers The problem seems to have increased over recent years and is not limited to one manufacturer. For example, older manufactured papers worked fine with the … Read more

Jennifer Booher's high-tech studio

Double-exposure cyanotypes

For several years now, Jennifer Booher has been making double-exposure cyanotype photograms of disposable plastic shopping bags. She calls the series “Extinction” and it began after her town banned plastic bags as a tongue-in-cheek typology imagining these bags as an endangered species. Writer and photography / Jennifer Steen Booher The process is pretty straightforward – I layer a plastic bag over a sheet of cyanotype paper on a hard board, … Read more

Anonymous 19-7, 2022, Lexy Liangzi Xiao, chromoskedasic drawing with the recipe 1 on the FB warmtone paper

Self-made activator and stabilizer for Chromoskedasic painting

Lexy Xiao finds a way to get around the expensive shipping costs of chemicals necessary for Chromoskedasic painting. She shares her process on how to prepare her own here. Writer and photography / Lexy Liangzi Xiao | 肖靓子 WARNING: This is for experienced and advanced users only. Read the safety sheets before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. Hazardous chemicals are used. A little history and … Read more

Cuprotype by Jim Patterson

Cuprotype history from 1850s until present

A Cuprotype is a photographic print of Copper II Ferrocyanide on paper or fabric. Jim Patterson gives us a history of the Cuprotype process. Writer / Jim Patterson with help from Niranjan Patel, Peter Friedrichsen, Frank Gorga, and Alberto Novo Photography / Jim Patterson, Peter Friedrichsen, Alberto Novo, Niranjan Patel and Frank Gorga A Cuprotype is a photographic print of Copper II Ferrocyanide on paper or fabric. Cuprum = copper … Read more

The main parts of the paint-can camera.

In-camera Anthotypes – a world first, and perhaps also a last?

If stuck on a desert island, John Marriage chooses to keep himself amused with anthotypes, since plenty of pigments and an abundance of time would be at hand. He shares his experiments with in-camera anthotypes. Writer and photography / John Marriage A week before a July 2017 meeting, I had a phone call asking for a short talk on “What camera would I take if I were stranded on a … Read more

3 anthotype books

We now have 3 books on Anthotypes – enough to inspire someone?

Once you most likely felt that spark of inspiration, the one that initiated your creative process. Why not inspire someone else to get creative? We now have 3 anthotype books that may just be the perfect gift for someone? Or maybe for yourself! Anthotypes – Make photographs using plants   This book will show you how it is done, and expand your creative horizons with plenty of examples from artists … Read more

Anthotype notes

Do you document your anthotypes?

Watch the video to see how we document our anthotypes, in the same format as used for World Anthotype Day. Read more about the Anthotype Notebook or get your copy. Using this notebook, or another to document your anthotypes means you learn from your prints and experience. It also means that if you are taking part in World Anthotype Day next year, you already have the documentation ready to go.

Kelp carbon print by Jim Patterson

Kelp carbon process – A direct positive carbon photographic process

Kelp carbon is not for the beginner. The kelp carbon process is a direct positive carbon photographic process. Jim Patterson shares his process. Writer and photography / Jim Patterson In short: Sodium alginate (from kelp) is the Colloid and Ferric (iron iii) Oxalate is the Sensitizer. The image is pigment bound to a support in the hardened (insoluble) colloid. What is Kelp Carbon? Traditional carbon prints are negative working; a … Read more

Wet Cyanotype Painting: Fun under the sun

Once you’ve explored classic cyanotype photograms, OHP negatives, UV light boxes or wet cyanotypes, you may be interested in having even more fun with wet cyanotype painting. Dennis Humphrey began his explorations between 2018 and 2020. Basically, it is spontaneous painting with liquid cyanotype emulsion, on paper, under the sun—a fun, serendipitous process. Writer and photography / Dennis Humphrey What is a wet cyanotype painting? It is painting, drawing, pouring, … Read more

Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1 – NEW BOOK!

by Malin Fabbri   The first book in the series from World Anthotype Day Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2022. “Dedicated artists from all over the world experiment and contribute their valuable discoveries page by page. The beauty is alluring, and the possibilities are endless.” Peter J. Blackburn. $12.00 Download eBook (PDF) directly. $15.00 Buy eBook (PDF for Kindle) from Amazon … Read more

Anthotype notebook

Anthotype notes – Document your anthotype process

by Malin Fabbri   Buy the anthotypes notebook here – published by AlternativePhotography.com This notebook contains pre-defined pages with enough room to document 50 anthotypes. Rated 10 – based on 11 votes $00.00 Download printable eBook (PDF) directly. Free for Supporting Members – become a member and email talk@alternativephotography.com. If you are already a member, email us and we’ll send it! $8.00 Download eBook (PDF) and print it yourself. $18.00 … Read more

Anthotype emulsion database

Anthotype emulsion database

The Anthotype emulsion database is a collection of anthotypes that artists have contributed on World Anthotype Day. Find an emulsion for your anthotype and learn from other artists’ notes. Find anthotype emulsions here. Find anthotype emulsions here.

Rose petals used to make anthotype prints

About World Anthotype Day

It’s here: The World Anthotype Day! Read about how it started and how to take part in the very first World Anthotype Day ever – on the 3rd Saturday in August. Join the anthotype newsletter and you will be notified. How World Anthotype Day started The initiative of World Anththotype Day was started here, by us, after sending out the Anthotype Day survey and getting an overwhelmingly positive response. The … Read more

Wet cyanotype by Galina Manikova

Wet cyanotype

This article is an excerpt from Cyanotype on glass and ceramics written by Galina Manikova with information and lots of links where one can learn more. Writer and photography / Galina Manikova This is a new trend, but nothing new about the process or the idea. There are several people claiming to have invented it, or to have a copyright on it, which is another myth. You can create wet … Read more

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