There have been many alternative photography experiments in the 19th century. The era seemed to separate processes into using either silver or iron (with a few using both) to create photographic images.
One process stood out among them by using juices and extracts from botanical items to create light-sensitive solutions. Today we are looking into the Anthotype and how it utilized nature to create photographs.
Cover photo by Julien Chatelain
What is Anthotype Photography?
Anthotype is a photographic printing process that involves using photosensitive emulsions made from the extracts of light-sensitive plants. Flowers, leaves, and fruits were developed into solutions in the 19th century by Mary Somerville and Sir John Herschel. They were both polymaths and scientists, whereas he is best known as the inventor of the Cyanotype.
They were one of the earliest alternative photographic processes. While rarely used today, it continues to offer a unique and interesting experiment. After all, they use natural materials and create one-of-a-kind images.
Anthotype Process
In the anthotype process, a vegetable juice extract is mixed with a binder such as gelatin or albumen. It is then applied to a piece of paper or cloth. The dried coated material is exposed to sunlight with a negative image placed on top of it. The sunlight bleaches the exposed areas of the emulsion, leaving behind a positive image.
Some of the vegetables used to make anthotype emulsions include beetroot, red cabbage, blueberry, and spinach. Each plant extract produces a different color and creates a wide range of effects. This process is an interesting alternative to traditional photography.
Hutschi - Maple leaf, anthotype with sour cherry juice, 2 h exposure time at high noon in summer time
History of Anthotype
In 1842, Somerville discovered that the juices of certain plants could create photosensitive emulsions. She found that the anthocyanin pigments in the juices of flowers and other plants were sensitive to light.
Herschel experimented with a variety of plant extracts. He found that some produced more stable and long-lasting images than others. The extract of the plant dyer's weed (Reseda luteola) produced a particularly stable emulsion. It created photographic prints with a yellow-green color.
NB: Antho- is a prefix derived from the Ancient Greek ἄνθος (anthos) meaning “flower”
Apart from photography, Anthotype also had some scientific applications. Herschel used the process to study the effects of different wavelengths of light on plant pigments. He found that different wavelengths of light affected the colors in different ways. This information helped make important discoveries about the nature of light and color.
Anthotypes were one of the earliest alternative photographic processes. It had a significant influence on the development of photography as an art form. The process offered photographers a way to experiment with cheap materials. They were able to create unique images unlike anything produced by traditional photographic techniques.
Dose Juice
Benefits and Drawbacks of Anthotype
The main benefit of anthotype is that it offers a unique and one-of-a-kind image. The process is simple and can be done with readily available materials.
There are also some drawbacks to the process. Anthotype photography requires bright sunlight and is a slow process. It is not practical for many photographic practices where speed is essential. The resulting images are often quite subtle and delicate, which may not be to everyone's taste.