Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) anthotype by Kriszta Németh

“Fotófalu” by Kriszta Németh, Törökbálint, Hungary
Parts used: Berries / Bark of stem and root
Amount: About a half handful for each print (berries) / Stem and root cut into approximately 10 cm pieces
Extracted by: Simple pressing (berries) / Soaking in alcohol (bark of stem and root)
Thinner: None for berries / Pure Ethanol for bark and root
Application: Brushing
Layers: 1 for berries / 3 for bark of stem and root

Substrate: Watercolour paper
Created with: Laser-printed OHP positive
Exposure: 5 days for berries / 2 days for bark and root in August, summer 2026
UV strength: 6-8 (berries) / 5 (bark and root)
Temperature: 38° (berries) / 25° (bark and root) Celsius or 100° / 77° Fahrenheit
Humidity: 25 % (berries) / 69 % (bark and root)
Contrast: ✿ (Low) for berries / ✿✿ (Medium) for bark and
root
Challenges or observations: To achieve deeper tones, I applied the squeezed berry juice in 1, 2 and 3 layers. After 3 layers, the juice had a jam-like consistency. After 2 days of exposure, the 2- and 3-layer emulsions turned uniformly brown, but produced no image. The single layer retained its original colour and showed little reaction to light.
Stem and root: I applied 3 layers of an alcohol extract from the stem and root. After 2 days of exposure, it produced relatively good contrast and a negative print.
Additional information: Both the berry juice and root extract are pH-sensitive. In alkaline conditions, the purple berry emulsion becomes bluish, while the yellow root extract turns purple. A baking soda post-treatment caused the exposed image to disappear.
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Website: www.cippo.hu