Christopher Osborne is the editor of Silvergrain Classics and an avid fan of journaling. He reviews our Anna Atkins tribute journal and is pleased with the result.
The Anna Atkins Tribute Journal 2023 is the brainchild of Malin Fabbri. Malin is the driving force behind alternativephotography.com, the go-to source of information for anyone interested in alternative photographic techniques.
For those of you who are not familiar with Anna Atkins, she was a British botanist and photographer who used Sir John Hershel’s newly invented cyanotype process to make prints of flowers and leaves from her garden. Her book “Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions” is believed to be the first book illustrated with photographic images, in 1843.
As well as the editor of alternativephotography.com, Malin also works as a designer, so she understands the difficulties that part-time artists face in finding a balance between the competing demand of work, life, well-being and artistic practice. This journal is based on her personal approach to resolving competing demands on her time and making room for art and creative projects.
The journal is spiral bound for ease of use and contains 60 beautiful contemporary images in the style of Anna Atkins. The cyanotypes within the book are so strong and inspirational that they make the journal a worthwhile purchase in its own right.
The images were selected from an open call of members of alternativephotography.com and were selected by a panel that reads like the who’s who of alternative photography. It consisted of Christina Z. Anderson, Christopher James, Annette Golaz, Rolf Sachsse and Malin Fabbri.
“The portfolio of images is spread throughout the journal, to inspire. Let’s face it. We all have those moments where we find ourselves wondering what to do next.”
The idea of a journal aimed at helping people like me who need to balance work, family and photography is very appealing. The journal begins with a section to plan your long-term goals. This is broken down into four categories, namely art, work, life & home and well-being & health. Completing this section is harder than one might first think, but then it is designed to challenge you to consider both your priorities and what is realistically achievable.
The next section is a yearly planning chart which allows you to create a high-level graphical plan for the year.
Each month begins with a section that allows you to sketch out your objectives for the month ahead. This is followed by a spread for the week and includes a section for you to jot down your focus for the week.
At the end of the month, the journal has a section for reflection. Pausing for a moment to think about what worked well, and what did not may be a useful exercise before planning the following month.
The journal is offered in two versions. The first starts the week on a Monday, and the second starts the week on a Sunday. It can be purchased either through Lulu.com and will be available on Amazon shortly. The price is USD 34.00, and if you get it on Lulu, the paper quality is slightly better.
Links:
You can preview the Anna Atkins Tribute Journal here https://www.alternativephotography.com/journals/
There is also an Anna Atkins Tribute Calendar (wall calendar) that can be viewed at:
https://www.alternativephotography.com/calendars/
World Anthotype Day – anthotype is another process invented around the same time – is on the 19th of August 2023 (the 3rd Saturday in August). You can find details about participating at:
https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-anthotype-day/
World Cyanotype Day is on the 30th of September 2023 which is the last Saturday in September. You can find details on how the alternativephotography.com community will support the event at:
https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-cyanotype-day/
SilvergainClassics published a book review on last year’s submissions to World Anthotype Day, together with an interview with Malin Fabbri in Issue 17, and this can be purchased here: https://shop.silvergrainclassics.com/magazines/silvergrainclassics-17
World Anthotype Day
World Cyanotype Day