“Cat Observing Earth” by Malin Fabbri, Stockholm, Sweden
Parts used: Petals
Amount: 5 flowers
Extracted by: Mortar
Thinner: Alcohol 40%
Application: Foam brush
Malin Fabbri
Sustainable options
Fill out the survey and contribute to this page, which aims to be a living document and a resource and a page containing a list of more sustainable options for some of the chemicals used in alternative photographic processes. The survey will be open until the end of May. Researched by / Malin Fabbri, Anne Eder and Henri Blommers The survey is now closed. Thank you for taking part. The … Read more
Paper basics: Buffering
In alternative photographic processes, the choice of paper plays a crucial role in achieving a good print as well as in the archival quality and longevity of prints. Buffered and unbuffered papers are terms often encountered in this context. Some processes are fine with buffered papers and, in some processes, buffering will ruin the print. Writer / Malin Fabbri Photography / Malin Fabbri and John Brewer Most art papers today … Read more
Paper basics: Sizing paper for alternative photographic processes
A few decades ago, when I first started out, I believed sizing was about cutting the paper into the right size: I was very wrong. When a paper is “sized”, glue is used to bind the paper to control the absorption of liquids—the capillarity—in the fibres. Writer and photography / Malin Fabbri A paper towel is unsized and very absorbent since you are supposed to use it to wipe up … Read more
Paper basics: An overview of paper qualities
The basic knowledge of paper includes a few terms that are good to know for selecting your base. Selecting the right paper for alternative process prints is akin to choosing the perfect instrument for a musician. The paper should harmonize with your artistic vision and used to add to the experience. Factors like weight, texture, and absorbency are key factors. The choice of paper plays a crucial role in the … Read more
Did Sir John Herschel or Mrs Mary Somerville discover anthotypes?
According to my research, it was Sir John Herschel who discovered the anthotype process and not Mrs Mary Somerville. As soon as I publish an article or text mentioning “Anthotype” and “Herschel”, I invariably get comments saying that it was Mrs Mary Somerville who “invented” the anthotype process. I have not seen any evidence of this in my research and share my findings here in chronological order. Writer / Malin … Read more
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 2
by Malin Fabbri The second book in the series from World Anthotype Day “If you are looking for a resource of Anthotype emulsions, then this book is exactly what you need!” – Christopher Osborne, editor Silvergrain Classics Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 2 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2023. $18.00 Download eBook (PDF) directly. $22.00 Buy eBook (PDF for Kindle) from Amazon Kindle. Buy from Amazon.com … Read more
Tea, assam (Camellia assamica) anthotype by Malin Fabbri
“Let’s have a cuppa” by Malin Fabbri
Country: Sweden
Parts used: Leaves
Amount: 3 teaspoons
Extracted by: Mortar
Thinner: Boiling tap water
Application: Dipping, emerging the whole substrate, leaving it to dry, then brushing on 8 coats
How to print an Anna Atkins cyanotype
Apart from being a brilliant scientist and botanist, Anna Atkins was also an artist. She created numerous prints from plants, lace and feather arrangements. This is how you can print your own cyanotypes in Anna Atkins’ style. We have done research, but not managed to find out a lot on paper or oils used, so if you possess ANY knowledge at all in terms of which paper or oil was … Read more
Review of Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1
Peter J. Blackburn reviews Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1, and finds this springboard and resource alluring – and is eagerly awaiting the next volume. Writer / Peter J. Blackburn If ever there was a medium that best captured the soft, the gentle, and the ethereal, anthotypes would be among the champions. And those delicate qualities are clearly on display in Malin Fabbri’s new text, Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1, which continues to … Read more
Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1
by Malin Fabbri The first book in the series from World Anthotype Day Anthotype Emulsions, Volume 1 – The collective research from photographers on World Anthotype Day 2022. “Dedicated artists from all over the world experiment and contribute their valuable discoveries page by page. The beauty is alluring, and the possibilities are endless.” Peter J. Blackburn. $18.00 Download eBook (PDF) directly. $22.00 Buy eBook (PDF for Kindle) from Amazon … Read more
Geranium (Pelargonium hortorum) anthotype by Malin Fabbri
“I hope we are in time” by Malin Fabbri
Country: Sweden
Parts used: Petals
Application: Brushing, using a foam brush
Exposure time: 2 days in part sun, part cloud
Month, season and year: August, Summer, 2022
Substrate: Watercolour paper
Contrast of final print: ** (Medium)
Anthotypes, colouring and food colouring
An excerpt from Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants. Pigments normally thought of as food dyes can also be used to make photographs.
Preparing your photogram image for cyanotype printing
An excerpt from Blueprint to cyanotypes: Exploring a historical alternative photographic process. Making photograms in the cyanotype process.
The chemistry of anthotypes
An excerpt from Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants. Sir John Herschels description of how light changes pigment to make an anthotype.
Safety first – poisonous plants to watch when making anthotypes
An excerpt from Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants. Poisonous plants that should be avoided when making anthotypes.
Preparing the canvas: cloth, paper and natural fibre fabrics for cyanotypes
An excerpt from Blueprint to cyanotypes: Exploring a historical alternative photographic process. 3 different coating methods and how to dry and store the coated paper.
Anthotype? A what? Explaining stencelling on plants and printing with plants
An excerpt from Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants, and explains the difference between stencelling on plants and printing with plants.
Finding plants and pigments for making anthotypes
An excerpt from Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants. Plants suitable for making anthotypes and where to get them.
Anthotypes – instructions to making a print using plants
It is possible to print photographs using nothing but juice extracted from the petals of flowers, the peel from fruits and pigments from plants. We’ll show you how.