Photography with a Story!

In 1843, botanist Anna Atkins published the book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. This was a scientific work that drew upon the classic illustrated botanical works prescribed throughout the 19th century by British societies, but with a very important and revealing difference: the book was illustrated with photographs. For the first time, drawing was omitted to illustrate botanical species, and Atkins was the first person in history to illustrate a book with photographs using the cyanotype technique.

The activity consists of an introduction to the first photography book in history, a simple and understandable explanation of basic concepts related to analog photography, specifically the creation of a cyanotype. At the museum, we invite you to discover the garden’s plants and capture them using this technique.

Objectives

To learn about the plants in the museum’s garden and create a photographic herbarium.

In the digital age, to understand the analog photographic process by discovering the cyanotype technique.

To learn simple concepts related to analog photography.

To develop creativity through artistic composition.

To make sustainable use of the garden’s resources.

To raise awareness about the historical invisibilization of pioneering women scientists.