“Thinking of You” by Michael Cessna
Country: US
Common name of plant: Hardy Hibiscus, also called common rose mallow, swamp mallow, swamp hibiscus, dinner plate hibiscus
Parts used: Entire flower
Application: Soaking
Exposure time: 3 days, 1 hour and 25 minutes
Month, season and year: August, Summer, 2022
Substrate: Arches Platine 310 gsm (5×7)
Contrast of final print: *** (High)
Amount: Ten flowers
Extracted using: Soaking
Thinner: Alcohol
Layers: 3
Used to create image: Photogram of a dried maple leaf grown in Ukraine
Challenges or observations: This plant creates an incredible purple dye; like most dyes, it is not lightfast.
Additional observations: The plant cultivar name is ‘Midnight Marvel’; this is the name given by the hybridizer for the unique plant. The cultivar’s name is very important. The plant patent number is PP24079.
Hardy hibiscus for making anthotypes. Before exposure.
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.
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.
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!
Discover how 140+ artists bring colour to traditionally monochrome processes. This book explores pigments, chemistry, layering, and experimentation through real working examples.
Combines inspiration and learning!
A fusion of moments and visions from artists working in alternative photographic processes – featuring 90+ inspirational alternative photographic processes images.
Highly creative!
Step into a world where light, chemistry, and creativity collide. 137 artists push the boundaries of alternative photography, with processes like cyanotype, gum, and platinum printing to create unique, handcrafted images. They showcase their work, insights, and inspiration.
• Open for entries in August – 31st of October 2026, midnight, your own timezone
• The mission is to find unusual emulsions
• Get published in our this year's book!
Anthotype Day is free and open to all. Volunteers work for free. So, please help us crowd-fund the event. Any donation helps.
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Amount: Ten flowers
Rated 9,8 - based on 224 votes
Rated 10 - based on 8 votes
World Anthotype Day
World Cyanotype Day
