Richard Bailey

Richard Baily photographer

Richard Bailey from the UK is now retired from teaching and lecturing in art and design and pursuing alternative photography.
From: Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Shows: Casein bichromates, cyanotypes and gum bichromates.

Richard Bailey retired after over 30 years as a teacher and lecturer in art and design education. His teaching experience was across a number of areas within art and design including fine art, photography, graphic design and digital design. He holds a Hons Degree from the University of Sheffield with specialisms in painting and ceramics and a Cert Ed teaching qualification.

It was after his post secondary school education at Rotherham School of Art & Design that Richard Bailey first developed his passion for photography. Following this, his education included vocational qualifications from Coventry College of Art & Design in graphic design and photography.

On retirement, Richard Bailey decided to pursue his interest in 19-century alternative photographic processes after dabbling a little whilst still teaching full time. Gum printing was an alt photo process he had wanted to explore for some time so he set to work reading about the process. After reading Christina Anderson’s books which included a wealth of information on the gum bichromate process amongst others, he felt ready to begin his journey into the magical world of alternative photographic processes. He continues to experiment with other processes including casein dichromate and more recently Dan Burkholder’s Photo Gilding process and the Gumoil process.

Richard Bailey’s current goal is to build a sufficient body of work from which to exhibit his prints.

His introduction to alternative photographic processes was the discovery of a chapter titled “Rediscovering Old Processes” in Michael Langford’s wonderfully informative book “The Darkroom Handbook”.

Inspired by the book he made his first print – a cyanotype photogram on watercolour paper exposed using the sun. He was hooked!

It was a frustrating journey at first with many failures but he learnt a lot and loved experimenting with the process. He particularly enjoyed the uniqueness of each print even after using the same negatives, colours and exposure times. He also learnt to accept the flaws in some of the prints which added to their uniqueness.

“From simple beginnings with cyanotype I went on to experiment further with the gum bichromate process which drew me due to its printmaking and watercolour like qualities.”

More about Richard Bailey:

  • Contact email: info (at) altography.co.uk
  • Website
Recommended reading - Learn more about Cyanotypes
Blueprint to cyanotypes the book by Malin Fabbri
Buy directly from the author

Blueprint to cyanotypes - Exploring a historical alternative photographic process

by Malin Fabbri and Gary Fabbri

9 of 10   Rated 9,46 - based on 182 votes

All you need to get started with cyanotypes, full of information, tips and samples from artists. An excellent beginners' guide to cyanotypes!
 
Get the notebook
Cyanotype Notes - Document your cyanotype process
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Cyanotype notes – Document your cyanotype process

Notebook by Malin Fabbri

50 pre-defined pages for you to document your cyanotype process.
 
Anna Atkins tribute calendar 2024
Anna Atkins tribute calendar

Anna Atkins tribute calendar

12 beautiful cyanotypes by 12 different artists created in honour of Anna Atkins.
 
Anna Atkins tribute journal 2024
Anna Atkins tribute calendar

Anna Atkins tribute journal

Daily planner featuring 60 beautiful cyanotypes by different cyanotype artists created in honour of Anna Atkins.
 
Anna Atkins tribute planner
Anna Atkins tribute planner
 
 
 
Recommended reading - Learn more about Gum bichromates
Gum Printing: A Step-by-Step Manual, Highlighting Artists and Their Creative Practice

Gum Printing: A Step-by-Step Manual, Highlighting Artists and Their Creative Practice

by Christina Z Anderson

A step-by-step description of the gum printing process and showcases of artists’ works ranging from monochrome to colorful and from subtle to bold.

Technical Guide to Gum Printing by Calvin Grier
Buy directly from the author

Technical Guide to Gum Printing

by Calvin Grier

A 5-part series perfecting the gum bichromate process. For the advanced gum bichromtes artist.

Gum bichromate book

The Gum Bichromate Book: Non-silver Methods for Photographic Printmaking

by David Scopick

Step-by-step guide to gum bichromates.
 

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