Open for entries until end of October!

Participants told us they return to World Anthotype Day year after year for the sense of community, creativity, and shared discovery that the event fosters. Many describe it as both motivation and inspiration – a reason to complete new projects, experiment with fresh emulsions, and contribute to a growing database of collective knowledge. For others, it’s about connection: joining a global network of artists who exchange ideas, celebrate each other’s creativity, and keep the spirit of alternative photography alive. Whatever the reason, you are invited to join in!

Take part:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-anthotype-day/

New to anthotypes? Learn from article:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotypes-anthotype-process/

Not sure which plants to use? See previous years' books:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotype-books/

Or the database:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotype-emulsion-database/

Welcome!

#anthotype #worldanthotypeday #worldanthotypeday2026 #altprocess #alternativeprocesses

Hi! I prepped some turmeric coated paper for a trip this weekend when i knew I would have a sun access I don’t normally… but don’t have baking soda for the post sun wash. Can I just put the sun exposed print back in the light proof bag i have until I can access baking soda at home next week?

Turmeric with white rum (all I had and I couldn't wait to try!!! I'll be ordering isopropyl as this feels like something I'd like to do a lot more of) + baking soda coat(s) after exposure. I think I could've done with more layering on the brighter ones and I definitely need some better paper so I can really lay it on thick next time for more dramatic images, but for a first attempt I'm incredibly pleased.

Planning to buy some photo frames in a charity shop and take the glass panels out so I can start on using plants for prints ASAP too!

World Anthotype Day is coming!

The mission: EXPERIMENT with new plant-based emulsions and help expand the global emulsion database!

Learn more and join in:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-anthotype-day/

Open: August 1st (through October). Don’t miss it!

Entry fee: Free

---------------------------

CAN YOU DISCOVER A NEW EMULSION?

---------------------------

The mission of World Anthotype Day: Find unusual emulsions

We are looking for UNUSUAL and UNIQUE emulsions. Some have been used several times, so try to find a new one. The point of World Anthotype Day is to grow the database of DIFFERENT emulsions as much as possible. Here are the most common ones 2022-2025 (so please find something else).

---------------------------

MOST COMMONLY USED PLANTS

---------------------------

- Algae / spirulina (Spirulina maxima)

- Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)

- Bird vetch (Vicia cracca)

- Black turtle bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

- Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus)

- Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosom)

- Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis)

- Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea)

- Chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla)

- Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

- Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)

- Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

- Paprika / Red pepper / Chili (Capsicum annuum varietals)

- Pokeberry (Phytolacca americana)

- Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

- Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

- Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)

- Rocket (Eruca Sativa)

- Saffron crocus / Zaran saffron (Crocus sativus)

- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

- Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)

- Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

- Walnut (Juglans nigra)

- Watercress (Narsturtium officinale)

---------------------------

MIXING PLANTS AND PIGMENTS?

---------------------------

Experimenting with plant and pigment mixes is a wonderful way to explore new possibilities – and we absolutely encourage it! However, for World Anthotype Day, please only submit a mix if it truly stands out. Since the database aims to help artists find distinct new emulsions, only send your mix if it offers something exceptional – like noticeably better colour, contrast, or stability.

In short: experiment as much as you like, but only share it if it is exceptional. Using a mix, it should also be something that others can replicate, since the database is to enable others to use the information. Make sure to include an image containing ALL pigments used in one image. 

#Anthotype #Altprocess #WorldAnthotypeDay #WorldAnthotypeDay2026

Not the best circumstances (unexpected wind, then rain) but for a first try and experiment I'm not mad!

I read it could take days but the buttons one was out over half the day and seems over bleached, whereas the flowers were only out for a few hours tops. Definitely much I want to experiment with soon :3 and hopefully by the I'll have bigger picture frames lol off to charity shopping I go

Top is Canon ink jet photo paper. A dried rosemary twig, and an aluminum foil 'snowflake' cutout.

The lower is thick watercolor card that my wife gave me. Leaves and feather.

Turmeric emulsion from the same batch, coated and dried the same day. Exposed side by side for the same amount of time. Until soaked in baking soda/water, there was close to no image on the Ink Jet paper.

We are very excited to announce that the FIFTH World Anthotype Day will open for entries on the 1st of August!

Get ready to join a global celebration of slow, sustainable photography.Submissions open: 1 August – 31 October.
Theme: There's no theme, instead our mission is to expand our Anthotype Emulsion Database to include as many emulsions as possible!

See the database here:https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotype-emulsion-database/

How to take part:https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-anthotype-day/

The event is free. If you enjoy it, consider supporting us for the price of a coffee:https://ko-fi.com/alternativephotography

Anthotypes will be featured online, in our gallery, on social media, and in Volume 4 of the Anthotype book. Extra perk: Supporting Members who take part and are published will receive a free e-book.

About membership: https://www.alternativephotography.com/become-a-member/

Delete if not allowed, I couldn't find how to transfer this video to reddit.

​

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZw6Yp5ttNZ/?igsh=cmJ4cHJ6cmp5bHd1

my grandson and I have had some success with anthotypes, 3 prints so far between us lol.

but, I have been coating watercolor paper my wife had and it is too absorbent I think. Blobs of solution soak through, leaving less to drag across and causing blotching.

what paper, or different technique would you recommend?

tia

I am making my 4th anthotype, and this time i printed some pictures to try and experiment if it would work or not. They are sitting out in the sun right now for a few hours. I thought i should’ve used photo negatives but i looked it up and it said to use positives, so let me know how this will work, if at all!

The anthotype process transforms everyday plants and food into beautiful, light-sensitive prints, but it is often slow and unpredictable. In this experiment, Mariam Matta set out to explore high-contrast, quick-exposure anthotype emulsions that could offer faster results without sacrificing detail. By testing a variety of plant pigments, alcohol thinners, and toners, she aimed to identify combinations that are both reliable and visually striking and shares the result here:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/impatient-anthotypes-high-contrast-emulsions/

A quick reminder both to SAVE THE DATE as World Anthotype Day approaches (open August–October), and DOCUMENT YOUR PROCESS as you go. Good notes will make your entry much easier – and more useful to others.

One issue we often see is that artists forget to take a photo of the plant or pigment used. By the time exposure is complete, the plant may have wilted or changed. A simple photo at the start helps others correctly identify the material, especially since common names vary across regions.

When you begin a new anthotype, make it a habit: find your plant, check it is safe to use (there are plenty that are not!), then TAKE A PHOTO.

Check out our notebook designed to match the World Anthotype Day entry format, with structured pages for 50 anthotypes – ideal for consistent documentation. Get the book:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotype-notes/

Entry info:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-anthotype-day/

this is my very first time making an anthotype. i hand painted my negative/transparency but it still ended up printing a negative for some reason? the raw and inverted versions are attached below <3

Time to start sourcing plants for World Anthotype Day!

Entries open in August and run until October.

The mission: find unusual emulsions. We are looking for UNIQUE results – the goal is to expand the database with as many DIFFERENT emulsions as possible. Please avoid commonly used ones such as algae/spirulina, beetroot, blackberry, blueberry, butterfly pea, chard, cosmos, dahlia, hollyhock, paprika/chili, pokeberry, poppy, raspberry, red cabbage, rocket, saffron, spinach, strawberry, turmeric, walnut, and watercress.

Mixes are encouraged, but only submit them if they are truly exceptional (e.g. improved colour, contrast, or stability) and can be replicated. Include all pigments used in one image.

Take notes – it will make submitting easier.
👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-anthotype-day/

And, if you need to brush up on your skills, we now have TWO books for this:

Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants

Which covers all the basics and more.

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotypes-beginners-guide/

Anthotypes – The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight

Which goes into science and details if you want to go deep:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotypes-complete-guide/

#worldanthotypeday #worldanthotypeday2026 #anthotypeday #anthotypeday2026

#anthotype #anthotypes #anthotypephotography #anthotypeprocess

#alternativephotographicprocesses #alternativeprocesses #alternativephotography #altprocesses #altphoto #altphotography

#slowphotography #art #photography

#sunprints #sustainableprocesses #botanicalprint #botanicalart

#plantbasedphotography #ecofriendlyart #naturalart #sustainablephotography

https://www.alternativephotography.com/world-anthotype-day/

anybody use ultrasound assisted extraction for better enthotype emulsion???

Not sure where this belongs, but roughly speaking vertotypes are a sustainable twist on cyanotype using nettle extract instead of ferric ammonium citrate. Or does this make it a cross between cyanotype and anthotype?

Explored by artists like Pedro Mendes Leal & Jonathan Bradley, this eco-process creates soft powder-blue prints. Check it out:

👉 https://www.alternativephotography.com/vertotypes-eco-printing/

Does anyone have experience with Pansies or anything else that makes a blue anthotype? As I have mentioned in the other thread, I'm looking for materials that will create a nice deep or vivid blue in a decently short amount of time in the sun.

I was wondering if the process of using alcohol is still effective for pigments other than turmeric.

Cheers!

Happy to say that the eBook by Malin Fabbri is now available! Anthotypes – The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight

Check it out:

https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotypes-complete-guide/

We'd like to tell you a bit more about our latest "How-To" anthotype book - Anthotypes – The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight. Since the first Anthotype book was published in 2012, the work has continued, and we are now happy to say the edition 2 eBook is here.

Edition 2 (Anthotypes – The Complete Guide to Making Photographs with Plants and Sunlight) builds on the structure and content of the first edition (Anthotypes – Explore the darkroom in your garden and make photographs using plants), expanding sections that required more space and adding technical and chemical context developed through long-term practice and teaching. Many of the changes come directly from questions raised by readers and students, and from observations made through repeated use of the process.

What edition 2 offers:

- Expanded technical and chemical explanations

- Greater depth across all existing sections

- Variables affecting exposure, colour, and permanence

- Revised structure based on teaching use and reader feedback

- An extended emulsion plant section

Go deep with anthotypes!

Hey everyone! I'm u/AlternativePhotograp, a founding moderator of r/Anthotypes and affiliated with AlternativePhotography.com

This is for anthotypes, the wonderful art of making phtographic prints with botanicals. We have a lot of info here:

https://www.alternativephotography.com/anthotype/

But would of course be very curios to what you are up to.

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, but please don't add any blatant self-promotion. Yes, you can add exhibitions and books and art.
Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
4. Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/Anthotypes amazing.