Porphyra linearis
1843-1853
Anna Atkins basically invented the photo book with this series, producing the first book illustrated with photographic images in 1843. By placing the algae *Porphyra linearis* directly onto light-sensitive paper and exposing it to sunlight, she created this ghostly white silhouette against a deep Prussian blue background. This 'cyanotype' process required no camera, blending scientific rigor with an aesthetic that looks surprisingly like modern abstract art. It is a stunning example of how early photography was used to document the natural world.
- Technique
- Cyanotype
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