Kitchen Photographic Printing with Turmeric and Borax! (Anthotype)

In this video I demonstrate creating and using photo-reactive paper by extracting Curcumin from Turmeric and using Borax as a developer and fix.
Using only Turmeric, Rubbing Alcohol, and Laundry Borax we can treat paper and fabrics and make them sensitive to Ultraviolet Light, such as sunlight... and make beautiful sepia-toned prints easily and safely with no expensive materials or caustic chemicals.
This is a great way to do Sun Prints with the kids, as the process is simple, safe, and fun!

[@paulbishop9896]

I can't believe this video has been viewed almost 11K times. Actually thinking about making another video of the process, been hankering to do it again, for some reason it's a project I associate with Springtime. Like once it's nice enough to spend an hour or so outside, here in the Northern Midwest. I've done it a few times since I did this video, and I actually still am on the original $3 spice rack bottle of Tumeric.

[@govindan]

Yes, please.

[@jennylynottthomas1134]

Do it 😆🎉

[@anthonymaggi3310]

This was a very good instructional video. Straightforward with no superfluous information. I've been working on wet cyanotype and cyanolumens but this is right up my alley and I will try it. Thank you!

[@mjrewerts]

Fascinating! I can’t wait to try it! 👍🏼

[@meghanalexander1994]

I love how eco friendly this process is. I can't wait to try it myself!

[@paulbishop9896]

Let me know how it goes! Been trying a few new things and will post again soon...

[@fionamcintyre4422]

Thanks for a great video. Most inspiring technique and well demonstrated.

[@jordi.nackan]

Super helpful video! I tried this out today and it was a blast!!

[@paulbishop9896]

Glad to hear!

[@frankligas2249]

Thanks for the video. Have never heard of this process. Will give it a go.

[@paulbishop9896]

Did it work?

[@VC_27]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you.

[@marcogiai-coletti354]

That's the best alternative process I've seen, no dichromates or nitrates. Very cool, thanks. I'm going to try it out in a pinhole camera too.

[@paulbishop9896]

Did it work?

[@marcogiai-coletti354]

@@paulbishop9896 unfortunately not. I might have run out of patience or the UV light needed doesn't reflect enough like normal light.

[@michelgosseli8768]

I didn't know this could be done with turmeric! Will try it soon.

[@abnilsonmarcolino]

Experimento legal. Gostei mais do exposto ao led.

[@natural09100]

Cool Beautiful colour thank you for sharing 😊

[@paulbishop9896]

My pleasure 😊

[@jos5267]

Thanks so much for video, Paul. Yes please do make more, you have simplified process beautifully. I love the results. I think I might get me a uv light as I think the sun here in oz too intense. I have seen others wax image to preserve image. I was wondering while watching, I have some very old glass photograpic plates from my grandfather. Do you think this process would destroy the images? I have no idea what to do with them but wouldn't want to ruin.

[@steeptakeoff]

hi @Paul Bishop...great video and process...how archival are these images...have you tried leaving them for a length of time without any top coat? keep up the great work. thank you

[@paulbishop9896]

Yes I have. They seem pretty durable but I suspect UV light and oxygen will eventually degrade the images. I have topcoated with spray sealants (like polyurathane) on several, but even a couple years later even the non-coated are doing well.

[@suzetermaat9602]

Thank you for this great video i`m going it to try on fabric and then with soda ash. I let you now if it wil do.

[@paulbishop9896]

Did it work?

[@patschwab4083]

Suze, did you end up trying it on fabric? Would love to know the outcome if you did. Thanks

[@_pretty_bird_budgie_cherni6171]

Will the borax work for berries and other plants as well?

[@utamigodjali]

Hi Paul is there any option for development and fixer beside borax?

[@paulseymour5998]

I would think Soda Ash would work great

[@mathangi4]

Would you recommend any other options for borax?

[@androbolaareospace9602]

Can i use somthing else,and not borax?

[@gianlucaloffredo9668]

Hi there, I've tried this method but is not working, maybe is because England not sunny enough

[@AlanJGreenUK]

What is not working? Do you get bleaching of the unshielded parts of the paper under UV/sunlight? Is the problem with borax? Borax is no longer available in the UK where "borax substitute" is sold. This is a different chemical and I have been wondering if it will work for this process.

[@namirahkhan5192]

It is nice

[@elizabethclark4892]

can i decoupage with this ? Will glue make the image disappear?

[@paulbishop9896]

I would think it would work well, the glue will likely protect the image. Let me know if you try it!

[@ashleypetersen7807]

Hi Paul, I was wondering where you got the term 'Kitchen Photography'? Is it something you came up with yourself?

[@paulbishop9896]

lol, yeah. I figured it explained simply that it's a process you don't need a lot of equipment or specialized chemistry or tolerances.. pretty much the way I do most things..

[@nuruleka2732]

i'm just seeing this. how do you fix it? with what? sorry bad english.

[@ashhole03]

The Borax fixes it

[@rawjoice3897]

Is that inkjet paper or can it be even photocopy paper?

[@CaponPaolaArt]

Can de borax also fix the photographic paper?

[@paulbishop9896]

Honestly not tried it with photographic paper. Do you mean actual photoprint paper or "photo" printer paper? The process itself doesn't require a fixing stage like standard photo processing.

[@hannahm.3606]

Can liquids containing boric acid be used instead of borax? Like detergent or contact lens solution?

[@paulbishop9896]

What you're looking for is what chemically is known as a reducer what you might get some success with is ammonia or dishwasher detergent powder

[@paulbishop9896]

I've tried a number of different things and I'm planning to do a video showing the different effects of using various chemicals the only one I will say to avoid is bleach because of course it bleaches

[@natural09100]

Might try spraying the borax solution for a different effect 😉

[@paulbishop9896]

Let me know how it turns out! Also, if you make a batch of paper, as long as it is kept in a cool dark place, it will keep until you need it. I found a piece over a year old I had stuck in a book, and yep.. still works, maybe a little more exposure time was needed. Glad you enjoyed!

[@natural09100]

@@paulbishop9896 thanks Paul, I wondered about that...book sounds like a great place to store the made up paper... well that's my weekend sorted..just have to find some leafs..they are past their best here in UK but I will try some abstract household items.. e.g. lace, sewing pins, nails , and I've found the patterned cellophane that goes round bunches of supermarket flowers is amazingly good with sun photos. ... Cheers ☺️

[@natural09100]

@@paulbishop9896 I just read that you like to try new things...have you tried jewellery making ... cutting , soldering and hammering metal/copper is very addictive and not too expensive...!!!...

[@helenkeen3476]

WHAT WAS THE MEASUREMENT PLEASE PAUL FOR THE BORAX TO WATER RATIO -THANKS

[@paulbishop9896]

Honestly, I just mix in a teaspoon or so into a glass of warm water, basically saturating the solution. You just don't want undissolved borax crystals in the water.

[@helenkeen3476]

@@paulbishop9896 thank you for that... will give it a try..:)

[@patschwab4083]

Would this work on fabric?

[@paulbishop9896]

I tried it with some cotton fabric and it did work.. however you're going to want something with a high thread count, otherwise you're going to lose a lot of detail. Also, not sure how colorfast it might be on something like clothing, I suspect a washing or two might fade it fast (as well as if were used as clothes, outdoor UV sunlight exposure I'm sure would degrade it rather fast.) The way I look at it, the process is so cheap and simple, give it a try. If you do, let me know how it works.... I'm planning on doing another video on this process soon, it's just that the weather has been nice and the fish have been biting :)

[@patschwab4083]

@@paulbishop9896 Thanks Paul. Enjoy your fishing.

[@dr.sitaratanveer3760]

Very few explained. Thanks

[@paulbishop9896]

You're welcome!

[@katgillang]

makes for a very pretty yellow food processor LoL

[@paulbishop9896]

Yeah the wifey doesn't allow me to use "the good kitchen stuff" for my... "projects". She's learned. :D