Ptilota plumosa β capillaris
1843-1853
Anna Atkins created this stunning image in the 1840s, making her one of the very first people to publish a book illustrated entirely with photographic images. She used a technique called cyanotype, placing actual seaweed specimens directly onto light-sensitive paper and letting the sun do the rest of the work. The result is these ghostly, intricate white silhouettes floating against a deep Prussian blue background. It's basically Victorian-era photocopying, but way more beautiful and scientifically groundbreaking!
- Technique
- Cyanotype
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