What are some easy alternative analogue processes for beginners?

Alternative analogue processes are a great way for photography beginners and even professionals to learn more about the long and curious history of photography, as well as to get a more hands on technical knowledge of how photography works, especially camera-less photography.

Some of the easiest, most common and beginner-friendly alternative analogue processes to try out are lumen printing, chemigrams and cyanotypes.

1. Lumen Printing

Credits: lomodesbrop

In lumen prints, organic material such as leaves or flowers are placed on a piece of photographic paper then exposed to the sun for a period of time to leave a mark, which then can be processed to make more permanent.

2. Chemigrams

Credits: stratski

Chemigrams make use of objects such as organic materials and photographic paper, as well as developing and fixing solutions for processing. The object is dipped into the developer and pressed down for about a minute. It is then processed and washed to get rid of the leftover chemicals.

3. Cyanotypes

Credits: ibrown

Cyanotypes are distinct for their bright blue color. To create cyanotypes, a negative is reproduced on photosensitive paper by use of chemicals exposed to UV light. Three-dimensional objects, such as organic materials, can also be used to create cyanotypes.

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More Courses

  • What is a chemigram?

    A chemigram is a camera-less printing technique that produces an image using chemicals and light-sensitive paper.

  • What is a cyanotype?

    Cyanotype is an alternative analogue process that produces a distinct cyan print. It is one of the most accessible and fun types of alternative image-making techniques to try out at home.

  • What is a lumen print?

    Lumen printing harnesses the power of the sun to make images. Place objects on photographic paper and expose it to sunlight to create a simple lumen print.

  • What is the wet-plate collodion process?

    This technique got its name from staining a piece of glass with collodion and other chemicals to make it light sensitive. It is then placed in the camera before the photographer proceeds to take a photo and expose the wet plate.

  • What are alternative analogue processes?

    Alternative analogue processes refer to non-traditional or non-commercial photographic printing techniques.