Jamun (Syzygium cumini) anthotype by Stephanie Lima

“Ecosynchronicity” by Stephanie Lima, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Parts used: Fruit skin and pulp
Amount: 8 berries
Extracted by: Mashing in a mortar and pestle
Solvent: Tap water and 45% alcohol
Application: Brushing with a soft foam paintbrush

Layers: 3
Substrate: Canson watercolour paper, 300 gsm
Created with: Combination of a digital positive printed on inkjet transparency and a photogram using lace fabric
Exposure: 7 days in April, autumn 2026
UV strength: 6–9
Contrast: ✿✿ (Medium)
Challenges and observations: Ripe Syzygium cumini fruit yields a highly concentrated purple pigment that stains easily during handling. When extracted with a water-alcohol mixture, the emulsion initially coated the paper with a bluish tint that deepened to an intense purple when dry. The seeds also contain pigment and were used directly on paper like a crayon in preliminary tests. The final print achieved excellent definition and strong contrast against the organic photogram silhouettes. Remarkably, even after 6 months in a dark portfolio, the image has gradually begun to fade, slowly whitening over time.
Additional information: Syzygium cumini, known locally in Brazil as Jamelão or Jambolão, is an abundant urban tree whose fallen fruits stain pavements in tropical autumn and summer. Its high anthocyanin content makes it an exceptionally light-sensitive, fugitive dye. The branches with the berries are too tall to catch the fruit from the tree, so I collected them from the ground, choosing the best ones.
Instagram: @naturezadasimagens