“Nasturtium” by Justine Kaemmerlen
Country: San Francisco, USA
Parts used: Petals from medium-orange flowers (not the deepest orange possible, but also not the lightest the plant produces)
Amount: 2 full flowers for a 4 x 3 inch print
Extracted by: Mortar and pestle
Thinner: 91% isopropyl alcohol
Application: Brushing
Layers: 3
Substrate: Watercolour paper
Created with: Photogram of dried and pressed nasturtium flower
Exposure: 4 hours, August, summer 2023
Contrast: ✿ (Low)
Challenges or observations: The bright orange petals crushed in a mortar and pestle mixed with some rubbing alcohol created a sunny golden yellow color that resulted in a final print fairly quickly, considering it was a partly cloudy day during exposure. I am impressed by the level of detail captured by this emulsion since it is yellow; typically, yellows are tricky when it comes to contrast in general.
Additional information: I am very excited to continue exploring the world of anthotypes as I dive deeper into my alternative photography process. I am hoping to use some native California wildflowers in upcoming experiments!
Instagram: @justine.kaemmerlen
Website: justinekaemmerlen.com
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) anthotype by Justine Kaemmerlen
This anthotype is part of World Anthotype Day
World Anthotype Day was started by AlternativePhotography.com in 2022. In August anthotype artists all over the world celebrate the anthotype process and send in their entries. We add them here to the database and create a reference book for each year. The purpose of the day is to build a large resource where artist can learn which pigmenets and plants that work and draw inspiration from other artists' work. 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.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2022
Volume 2 is the second book:
Volume 2 contains 100 unique anthotype emulsions from 139 artists taking part from 31 countries.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 2 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2023
If you want to learn more about making anthotypes there is also the "how-to" book:
Make prints using plants - an environmentally safe process!The most comprehensive resource on Anthotypes.
Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants
Rated 9,8 - based on 224 votes
If you are already practising anthotype printing, we suggest making notes to document and learn:
50 pre-defined pages for you to document your anthotype process.
Anthotype notes – Document your anthotype process
Rated 10 - based on 2 votes
