Through its history, photography has played a heavy role in shaping world culture and media. Some of the greatest changes in our society have hinged on the power and depth of meaningful photos. Because today is World Photography Day, I think it’s important to look back on an early phase of photography’s history and remember one of it’s most notable foremothers; cyanotypes and Anna Atkins, the first female photographer.
The cyanotype, known for its deep blues and delicate white outlines, is one of the earliest photographic processes. John Herschel is credited with inventing the process and it was Anna Atkins who saw the cyanotype’s potential to be both artistic and scientific. Atkins is credited with being the first female photographer and the first to publish a body of photographic work.
Growing up in a world of science and invention, she developed an interest in botany and would make illustrations to accompany her father’s scientific work. However, after learning about cyanotype process, Atkins realized she could do much more. The cyanotype process offered an entirely new way of seeing and recording the world. Instead of drawing out each leaf or petal, Atkins could record her discoveries faster by laying her specimens on the ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide coated paper and then exposing it to the sun (Britannica). When the deep blue outlines appeared, the exposure was done . Through this process, Atkins was able to create around 5000 prints . She would put 400 of those images in a book dedicated just to algae, the first published book of photography.
On this World Photography Day, I would like thank Anna Atkins. While many are quick to dismiss photography as an art form, Atkins shows us what a beautiful perspective photography can have. Her prints also demonstrate that photography has value and versatility and that goes beyond just a pretty surface. There isn’t one way to photograph. There isn’t one subject to photograph and there isn’t one purpose to photograph. It’s thanks to trailblazers like Atkins that there’s no limits on who a photographer can be or what a photograph can do.
This article was written by on staff photographer Olivia Whittington. If you are looking for the best photography services, whether they be fine art, product, event or otherwise, contact us for booking info.