Chlorophyll Anthotype

Chlorophyll, the very thing that binds Flora and Helios together, is a very able Photoreactive material that can be used to create Anthotypes in realtively short amount of time.

The probably easiest way to extract chlorphyll from plant matter is to dissolve crushed plant fibres in Alcohol. While commonly Ethylalcohol ist recommended all spirits will work. Cheap and widely available options are Bottom shelf Vodka or everyday non-drinkable Spirits such as Ethanol and other fire starting Spirits. If in Germany you can for exmaple look for "Brennspiritus"

NOTE: Alcohol is flammable, irritates skin and eyes and produces fumes that will make you silly. Better to wear gloves and work in a well ventilated space and save the cigarette break for after.

For plant matter you can basically use most plants leafs. Yet different plants result in different hues and Tones of green in the final extract.

Crush or roughly cut the leafs/plant matter. Blending is an Option too, yet too fine of a pulp is said to be counter productive. Once the green mush is at hand put it in a container and top it off with alcohol and let it soak. There are different recipes/opinions on the ratio of Alcohol ot leaf and the time to let it soak. If kept in a dark place the solution can easily be left to soak overnight yet 10 minutes will also yield usable extract.

After one has decided that enough soaking and extracting has been taking place, filter out the solids by pouring the solution trough a coffee filter or cheesecloth.

The resulting solution can then applied to paper or wood and then is ready for exposure. In direct peak summer sunlight the exposed chlorphyll will fade out in a matter of minutes. During dim grey winter it may take some days until the dye has faded out enough for the wished result

Examples:

Algae Chlophyll extraction

Using ready made Algae powder of Spirulina or Chlorella, the powder can directly be mixed with alcohol.

Paper coated multiple times, in Chlorophyll solution, extracted from a Spirulina and Chlorella mix.

Contact print

Contact Print, MDF Cut out, 1.5 weeks natural indoor light during winter holidays

Direct Exposure trough Agfabox lens

irectly exposed trough box camera, 40mm Lens

Direct Exposure trough 300mm fresnel lens

Direct Exposure trough 300mm fresnel lens