In love with Turmeric and Borax
It's this:Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which is a natural pH indicator. In acidic solutions, curcumin appears yellow, but in an alkaline environment, it can change to red and orange. Borax: A very alkaline compound with a pH typically around 9 to 11 when dissolved in water. It is used in various household cleaning products and to maintain stable pH levels in swimming pools. What really happensIn the alkaline environment created by borax, curcumin shifts from its natural bright yellow color to a reddish-brown hue. This color change happens because curcumin reacts to the PH change. So, we use borax to make curcumin turn red ↓ Borax also fixes the image!When turmeric is immersed in borax, curcumin forms complexes with borate ion. These complexes help protect the pigment from further photodegradation. This means that the image will be less susceptible to fading when exposed to light over time. How to do itSpray the solution on the print: Dissolve 2 teaspoons of borax in 100 milliliters of water in a spray bottle. Spray over the print.
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Alternative Processes
Wood Ash, Avocado & Sweet Potato 🍃 Happy Summer Solstice Reader!! 🍃 Did you know you can bleach cyanotype prints using wood ash ? I didn't know until someone told me so on instagram!! (If you are new to cyanotype or cyanotype toning, read this!) Why wood ash can bleach cyanotype 🪵 👵 My Italian grandmother used to tell me that her mum washed clothes with ash during the war. The alkaline nature of the ash worked wonders, breaking down the oils and stains in the fabric, much like how modern...
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:...
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...