“A Clothes Encounter with Birds” by Malin Fabbri, Stockholm, Sweden
Parts used: Leaves
Amount: 10 leaves
Extracted by: Mortar
Solvent: 3 tablespoons of alcohol (isopropyl)
Application: Brushing
Malin Fabbri
Anthotypes – The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight
All you need to know about anthotypes – NOW AVAILABLE BOTH AS PAPERBACK, COILBOUND PAPERBACK and EBOOK! – expands the original publication into a more complete technical and educational reference. Building on several years of continued testing, teaching, and revision, this edition addresses chemical, material, and process-related questions that could not be fully covered in an introductory format. Edition 2 of the “how-to” book on anthotypes by Malin Fabbri … Read more
Lumen Printing: How Exposure Time Changes the Image – from 5 minutes to 2 months (!) exposure!
Lumen printing is a simple cameraless photographic process where photographic paper is exposed to the sun. But the exposure time can greatly affect the result. Malin Fabbri shows how a short 5-minute print compares to 30 minutes, 2 days and – just to push the limits – an extremely long 2-month exposure time. See the difference! Writer and photography / Malin Fabbri Lumen printing is a cameraless photographic process that … Read more
Pure Inspiration, volume 2: Colour – Got yours yet?
Discover how 140+ artists bring colour to traditionally monochrome processes. This book explores pigments, chemistry, layering, and experimentation through real working examples. From anthotypes and cyanotypes to hand-coloured, gum bichromates, and hybrids, each print includes insights into methods and creative choices. A rich source of both inspiration and practical learning. Pure Inspiration #2: Colour “Both the Pure Inspiration books are must-haves at the very least in digital form, not … Read more
Using LED lamps to expose alternative photographic processes prints
Exposure is one of the most important variables in alternative photographic printing. While sunlight remains the traditional choice, UV LED lights have become a practical and reliable alternative. They allow artists to print regardless of the weather or season while providing consistent, repeatable exposure conditions. We asked artists around the world to share the LED lights they use, along with their exposure times and results. This article summarises those responses … Read more
Measuring Cyanotype Chemicals Without a Scale – including Cheat Sheet
A practical guide to measuring cyanotype chemicals with teaspoons and tablespoons. Many cyanotype practitioners (I am one example) like to work with precise measurements and repeatable results using a gram scale, but beginners may not yet have invested in a gram scale. Fortunately, there is another option using spoons. I measured common kitchen measuring spoons filled with cyanotype chemicals 20 times each and calculated the averages. The results provide a … Read more
Digital negatives and positives: Film, printers and tools – all the links you need
What is the best tool for digital negatives? Digital negatives make it possible to print photographs taken with a camera or our phone for alternative photographic processes. It is something a lot of artists struggle with. Luckily, several helpful people have come up with systems they share or sell to solve the issue. Which one is best? Hard to say, it depends on your preferences, but what I can do … Read more
Building a Pinhole Camera and Making Solargraphs
For Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the simplicity and potential of pinhole photography. It was a while since I made a camera, so it was nice to be inspired by Justin Quinnell’s pinhole resource and Heather Palecek’s article. Building a pinhole camera is very easy. Solargraphs require patience, but the result is a unique record of time and the movement of … Read more
Pure Inspiration books
Pure Inspiration emerged unexpectedly from our Calendar & Journal event. The idea stemmed from a desire to preserve the beauty of entries beyond the year’s end. The theme, Composites, encouraged experimentation, resulting in stunning artworks that blended multiple techniques that seemed to spark creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a newcomer, this book will inspire you to explore alternative photography and unleash your own creativity. Pure Inspiration #2: … Read more
Elisabeth Aanes, the making of NORDphotography and leaving her day job
Elisabeth Nordeng Aanes runs NORDphotography with a calm determination shaped by experience, risk, and care. 1.5 hours north of Trondheim, Norway, she has created a place where photography unfolds slowly, in dialogue with the landscape, weather, and human presence. The surroundings, open water, shifting skies, forests, and cold light, are not incidental. They shape how artists see, think, and work. At the heart of this environment is SAGA Center for … Read more
Alternative Photography: Art and Artists, Edition 2
Alternative Photography, Art and Artists, Edition 1. The hardback version.
Collab – Finding the perfect exposure time for printing cyanotypes in the sun
A cyanotype is made by exposing paper coated with light-sensitive cyanotype chemicals in the sun or under a UV light box, usually resulting in rich Prussian blue images. But exposure times vary, so what would be the best exposure time? –> Fill out form and share your exposure time, UV and colour of the final print here. If you used a UV unit or LED lamp to expose, the result … Read more
Flaming Katy, red (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) anthotype by Malin Fabbri
“My Boys” by Malin Fabbri, Stockholm, Sweden
Parts used: Petals
Amount: 30-40 small flowers
Extracted by: Mortar
Thinner: Alcohol, pure, distilled, 12 mL
Application: Brushing
How to make a good printing frame – tips and ideas
Making your own printing frame is not difficult; a basic one can easily be made, a printing frame with a hinge back may require a little bit of skill and some tools. Here are four six (send in yours and it will be even more!) tips and ideas… Picture frame with glue clips Malin Fabbri uses an ordinary picture frame when all hinge-back frames are full and holds it together … Read more
How to select a good printing frame – review of frames
A good printing frame can make or “break” a print, but should you splash out and get the top of the line, or should you scour the thrift stores and find a bargain? What works and what does not? Just to be very clear, we are not receiving any kick-back for writing about these frames; we recommend what we like. To keep this site independent, consider becoming a supporting member. … Read more
Sir John Herschel tribute journal
The Sir John Herschel tribute journal is a daily planner and contains both pre-defined pages and blank pages for you to plan your year. The templates are there to help you focus on your art projects as well as get a balance with work, home and everything else that happens in life. The journal is a tribute to Herschel, who gave us many of our beloved alt. processes such as … Read more
Supplies for making anthotypes
The FIFTH World Anthotype Day will be taking place this year from 1st August to 31st October. We know that seems like a long time away, BUT… Don’t make the same mistake again, use a QUALITY paper and start EARLY! Writer and photography / Malin Fabbri ✿ Open: 1st August to 31st October. ✿ Free to enter, open to all. ✿ Mission: Find unusual emulsions ✿ See the entry requirements … Read more
25 Years of AlternativePhotography.com – our story
It’s hard to believe, but AlternativePhotography.com is celebrating 25 years! What started as a small online resource has grown into a thriving community of artists, experimenters, and lovers of alternative photographic processes. Our story is still being written, but here is how it started. To mark this milestone, we’re releasing Alternative Photography: Art & Artists, Edition 2! This much-anticipated book showcases the work of 137 artists, featuring everything from cyanotypes … Read more
In the press: WE ARE – The RPS Women in Photography Magazine, issue 10, March 2025. Feature on Malin Fabbri
Here is a wonderful feature from a great organisation. The Royal Photographic Society women group published this on International Womens’s day 2025. The group is open to women all around the world, make sure to join RPS Women in Photography. It is a real honor to be featured in “WE ARE – The RPS Women in Photography Magazine” and an added bonus was that the magazine was launched on the … Read more
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 3
by Malin Fabbri Can you really use black beans to print a photograph? What about moss or mushrooms? Discover the anthotype process and follow artists who explore plants or pigments to create colourful eco-friendly prints. The third book in the series from World Anthotype Day Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 3 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2024. $18.00 Download eBook (PDF) directly. $28.00 Best paperback option. … Read more