Create prints using Spirulina and Matcha Reader, remember when we explored toning cyanotype with Matcha? Now, let’s dive into something new: creating anthotypes with Matcha and Spirulina! What is an Anthotype: It's a photographic print made using natural pigments from plants—in this case, Matcha and Spirulina. These pigments are photosensitive and fade when exposed to light. from left to right: blueberry anthotype, turmeric anthotype , grass anthotype How to print with Matcha and Spirulina:...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Tips & tricks to get great images with expired film Reader, film photography is far from dead: it's thriving, but so is the cost of film. Shooting expired rolls is cheaper and can add an exciting twist to your photos. 🎞️ What you should know: Expiration Date: Film typically expires two years after production but remains usable beyond that. Chemical Breakdown: Silver halides in the film react to light and lose sensitivity over time. Degradation: Expect faded colors, increased grain, and...
almost 2 years ago • 1 min read
Toning with Matcha You either hate it or you love it. But Matcha isn't just for drinking Reader Why matcha can tone cyanotype Because it is rich in chlorophyll! Matcha is made from green tea leaves, grown under shade for about three weeks before harvest. This shading process increases chlorophyll levels.At this point my question was: would it produce a similar result to green tea toning? Well, no. And I can prove it. How to do it Start by adding Matcha to water. 1 to 2 teaspoons (2 to 4...
about 2 years ago • 1 min read
ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES Colours: It's all in the PH! Reader there is a way to dramatically improve your turmeric anthotypes. Find out how ↓ Turmeric & Borax the match made in heaven From a chemical perspective, Borax (sodium borate) and turmeric do not undergo any chemical reaction. So.. where's the ✨ spark? paper coated with turmeric half immersed in borax solution It's this: Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which is a natural pH indicator. In acidic solutions, curcumin appears yellow, but in an...
about 2 years ago • 1 min read
Reader, I want to bust a myth. To start printing with Alternative Processes, you don't need to invest a lot of money. Even if you are planning to build a darkroom. Here's a breakdown of how much my darkroom really cost (and I haven't upgraded it yet)1. Table: picked up on the side of the road 0€2. Enlarger: purchased a 30€ enlarger that survived the 1966 Florence flooding. It was in really bad shape, restored it with 10€ of tools and cleaning products. It's a DURST M 600, the inside glass was...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
Reader, we currently have 280+ students enrolled and we're absolutely thrilled to unveil some of the prints crafted by the talented souls inside our Alternative Processes Academy. Here's what out students created in the past months: Brittanie Bondie Brittanie experimented with different anthotype emulsions, exposed with summer solstice sun, these are extracted from ancho powder, red cabbage, bibb lettuce and beetroots. Paeony Lewis Paeony created these watergrams in the darkroom, she then...
over 2 years ago • 1 min read
What APA students created in the past 3 months We currently have 250+ students enrolled inside our Academy and we're absolutely thrilled to unveil some of the prints crafted by the talented souls inside our Alternative Processes Academy Brittanie Bondie Brittanie experimented with different anthotype emulsions, exposed with summer solstice sun, these are extracted from ancho powder, red cabbage, bibb lettuce and beetroots. Paeony Lewis Paeony created these watergrams in the darkroom, she then...
almost 3 years ago • 1 min read
Reader, the cyanotype process, allows for much more than just shades of blue . Through toning, you can transform your Cyanotype prints into a wide spectrum of hues, adding new dimensions to your work. Here's how ↓ Step 1: Dry Print for 24 Hours Before proceeding to bleaching or toning, you'll want to dry your cyanotype print for at least 24 hours. This ensures full oxidation and development of the deep blue iron compounds. Or speed up oxidation by using hydrogen peroxide during the wash bath....
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
Reader, the Chlorophyll 🍃 process step by step: Selection of Leaf: Begin by selecting a suitable leaf. It should be large, flat, and without tears or insect damage. TIP: more mature leaves are preferable due to their denser chlorophyll content. Each plant specie will respond differently according to the quantity and quality of chlorophyll present. We have a free cheat-sheet you can download where we made a list of the most suitable species. Here some great plants for Chlorophyll: Preparation...
almost 3 years ago • 1 min read