Alternative Processes

“Alternative process” is an odd term that encompasses all the historic 19th century photographic printing methods. All alternative process prints are handmade by coating a surface (typically paper) with a sensitizer or emulsion and exposing it to light. This is a huge array of methods.  See, for example, Christopher James’  “The Book of Alternative Processes”.  At 847 pages, he has laid out an immense palette to work with.   Certainly much more than any one person could understand and use well in a lifetime.  I have chosen a few which provide the look that allows me to say what I want to say:  primarily carbon transfer, platinum and palladium, Van Dyke brown, and salted paper.

Pin Oak Leaf

Platinum/Palladium

Mooresville Barn

Van Dyke Brown

Casco Bay, Maine

Platinum/Palladium over Gold

Mallet Barn Maine

Carbon Transfer

Eastport Maine

Platinum/Palladium

Hickory Leaves

Platinum/Palladium

Cypress Swamp

Carbon Transfer

Heart of a Bristlecone

Carbon Transfer