“Dan by the Salem shores” by Émilie Léger
Country : Canada
Parts used: Leaves
Application: Brushing
Exposure time: About 3 hours cloudy (between 8 am and 11 am) – about 30 minutes; sunny (between 11 am and 11:30 am)
Month, season and year: August, Summer, 2022
Substrate: Arches watercolour paper
Contrast of final print: ** (Medium)
Amount: About 2 cups for 1 print
Extracted using: Mortar and pestle
Thinner: Vodka
Layers: 3
Used to create image: Positive on OHP paper
Challenges or observations:
Mature spinach was used, and less alcohol was used. Progressive exposure with cloudy weather seems to have worked better with short time full sun exposure, in comparison to other attempts in sun exposure only.
World Anthotype Day - celebrated annually since 2022 was started by AlternativePhotography.com. Our global community of artists celebrates the anthotype process by submitting prints. These works are added to our database here and compiled into reference books. The purpose is to build a large resource where artist can learn which pigments and plants work and draw inspiration from others. 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.
Volume 3 pushes the boundaries with emulsions not only from plants and pigments, but also from beans, moss and mushrooms. 135 artists shared their research.
In Volume 4 we will combine entries from both 2025 and 2026 into one beautiful double edition to include even more inspiring work, insights, and pigments to explore. The release for the combined World Anthotype Day book is planned for November 2026 – a richer, more comprehensive collection worth the wait.
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 4 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2025 and 2026
If you want to learn more about making anthotypes there is also the first "how-to" book:
Make prints using plants - an environmentally safe process!
Discover how 140+ artists bring colour to traditionally monochrome processes. This book explores pigments, chemistry, layering, and experimentation through real working examples.
Combines inspiration and learning!
A fusion of moments and visions from artists working in alternative photographic processes – featuring 90+ inspirational alternative photographic processes images.
Highly creative!
Step into a world where light, chemistry, and creativity collide. 137 artists push the boundaries of alternative photography, with processes like cyanotype, gum, and platinum printing to create unique, handcrafted images. They showcase their work, insights, and inspiration.
• Open for entries in August – 31st of October 2026, midnight, your own timezone
• The mission is to find unusual emulsions
• Get published in our this year's book!
Anthotype Day is free and open to all. Volunteers work for free. So, please help us crowd-fund the event. Any donation helps.
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