Matthew Bary

Matthew Bary, an avid photographer, rediscovered his passion for film and alternative processes. He experiments with various techniques, especially cyanotypes, and promotes the hobby to others, making it accessible and affordable.
From: Corydon, Indiana, USA
Shows: Cyanotypes and Silver gelatines

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Growing up, Matthew Bary was always interested in photography, but as the hobby rapidly shifted to digital, he lost interest for years. Later, he discovered that film was still thriving and began his journey into analog photography. Matthew collected cameras in various formats, from 35mm to large format, found in thrift stores and online, and acquired the tools to develop and enlarge analog film, falling in love with the process. During this journey, he discovered the Alternative Photography website and was amazed by the array of processes available. He experimented with everything from salt prints and albumen to anthotypes, cyanotypes, gum, and carbon prints, appreciating the range and nuances of each.

Initially, Matthew looked down on cyanotype as a limited process with a simple blue color, but his curiosity led him to build ultraviolet projectors to enlarge film negatives for alternative processes, using cyanotypes as his test subject. He was captivated by the effect and has since read extensively on the subject, printing and toning hundreds of cyanotypes, sometimes 30 of the same photo, to explore experimental techniques. Moving forward, Matthew continues to shoot film and digital nature photographs, encouraging others to engage in the alternative photography hobby and making it accessible and affordable for everyone.