Photographers [Oo] British Algae : Cyanotype Impressions | Anna Atkins (1799 – 1871)

Anna Atkins, Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, 1843

Cyanotype is commonly called “sun-printing”. The object being captured is laid on paper impregnated with ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. When exposed to sunlight and then washed in plain water the uncovered areas of the paper turn a rich deep blue. The process was otherwise used mainly to reproduce architectural and engineering drawings (i.e. blueprints).

Anna Atkins, Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, 1843

Anna Atkins (1799-1871) was an English botanist and photographer. She is often considered the first person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images. Some sources claim that she was the first woman to create a photograph.