My aim at the start of this project was to explore the landscape in a different way, looking at the detail rather than the whole. Then I had to teach myself a new process. The process I chose was influenced by the work of Anna Atkins and her book “Photographs of British Algae, Cyanotype impressions” (1843). The ultimate goal for the work was to highlight we walk past lost knowledge every time we visit our local paths and hedgerows.

To complete this work I had to learn how to make cotton rag paper, it had to be strong enough to survive the washing process needed to fix the image. Next I learnt the technique of mixing the chemicals to paint onto the paper to capture sunlight or draw with light the literal meaning of photograph. I read the book “Experimental Photography” (2015) to learn the technique.

In the initial work I sent for assessment I had done too much including a map and a poster. My tutor said the cyanotypes were strong enough to stand on their own. So after a rethink I included the words as Atkins had on each image. This was an important part of the work as far as I was concerned.

The overall effect of the work is pleasing; the detail the Cyanotype process captures is amazing. However exposure using the autumn sun is difficult. Some of the exposures are overexposed but are still a good record of the plant. The set of images shows 12 of the plants that make up the hedgerows I walk past everyday and represent them well.

Initially I presented the images on one poster as the Bechers had presented water towers in their work “Typologie Wassersturme” (1967-2010). This worked well however when I added the text presentation needed to change to 12 individual pieces of work otherwise the word became lost.

When I got the exposure right the detail is almost a 3d image when I didn’t the plant is just a silhouette. I need to create a better understanding of exposure by creating exposure test strips. This will improve with experience.

I feel the project worked as it shows I see the detail and is able to learn new ways of capturing this detail. I tend to put too much into the finished project and my tutor’s advice of less is more certainly worked here. The finished images are pleasing to me.

        Atkins, Anna. Photographs of British Algae, Cyanotype Impressions. 1st ed. Vol. 1. London: Steidl, 1843.

        Becher, Hilda, and Bernd Becher. Typologie Wassersturme. 2010 1967. Black and White Photograph Montage, 40 × 30 cm. Konrad Fischer Gallerie.

        Bendandi, Luca, and Marco Antonini. Experimental Photography. London: Thames and Hudson, 2015.