Capturing Nature: Innovative Techniques and Tools for Plant-based Photography

Discover how to craft breathtaking anthotypes with DM Witman, delving into plant-based resources and sustainable techniques in this exceptional photographic journey.

Led by DM Witman, this week lays a groundwork for engaging with plants as subjects, materials, and through various processes.

We will begin the week with an overview of fundamental plant identification and foraging our own specimens to produce anthotypes. Early photographers were drawn to anthotypes for adding color to their images. We will explore methods for extracting pigments from different parts of plants (fruits, flowers, roots) to formulate our own “emulsions” that will interact with sunlight. This technique is one of the most environmentally friendly approaches since it does not rely on conventional photographic chemicals.

Following this, we will trace the footsteps of Anna Atkins, the renowned English botanist and cyanotype expert, by creating cyanotypes to document our gathered plants. Our exploration of plants as a source of color will expand through the use of organic toners sourced from various materials. We will also investigate lumens, chlorophyll printing, and phytograms.

Participants will acquire skills in basic plant identification to be applied in eco-friendlier photographic methods that do not mandate the use of a camera or darkroom. Attendees can anticipate departing with a collection of photographs from the week’s activities along with newfound knowledge to further their practice at home or in academic settings.

All images copyright DM Witman.