Anna Atkins

Anna Atkins (1799 - 1871) was an English botanist and photographer. Atkins father was a close friend of Sir John Herschel who invented the Cyanotype process in 1842. Atkins applied this technique in her that self published in its first installment in 1843, which makes it the first book illustrated with photographic images. "Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions" consisting of photograms of algae that were contact printed "by placing the unmounted dried-algae original directly on the cyanotype paper".  I have seen the book in real on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, New York and almost could not get myself move away from the glass vitrine in which is was placed (last picture).

 You can see all pages of the book here.

peter happel christian

peter happel christian's project brief notes on existence photographically records the "sweeping, gathering and record-keeping" of dust found in public and private places in the form of photograms. his process is very interesting, you can read more about it here.

[all peter happel christian. from the series brief notes on existence. 2004-6. bally total fitness. museum of fine arts boston. us-mexico boarder.]

bronwyn rennex

bronwyn rennex, aside from having maybe the coolest name of all times, makes some really great cyanotypes. such a clever throw back to 19th century photographers like anna atkins. see more of bronwyn's stuff here.

[all bronwyn rennex. from the series small fires. no no no yes. 2004. thanks for nothing. 2004. yes yes yes no. 2004.]