The Allure of Alternative Processes in Photography

Taschen Press

In an age dominated by the instantaneity of digital photography, a quiet yet powerful movement continues to thrive—one that embraces the hand-crafted, the experimental, and the unpredictably beautiful. At Decagon  Gallery, we’re continually inspired by photographers who turn away from the pixel and return to the chemical, the tactile, and the historic.

These are the artists working in alternative photographic processes—a term that encompasses a wide range of non-traditional, often historical, photographic techniques.

What Are Alternative Processes?

Alternative processes (sometimes called “alt-processes”) refer to photographic printing methods that predate modern silver gelatin and digital printing. These methods often involve coating papers by hand, using sunlight for exposure, and embracing imperfections as part of the final image.

Among the most well-known techniques are:

• Cyanotype – recognizable for its deep Prussian blue hues, this 19th-century process was once used for architectural blueprints.

• Platinum/Palladium Printing – cherished for their delicate tonal range and archival stability, these prints have a distinctive matte finish.

• Gum Bichromate – a painterly process that allows for color layering and soft, dreamlike results.

• Wet Plate Collodion (Tintypes and Ambrotypes) – a labor-intensive 19th-century method requiring the plate to be exposed and developed while still wet, resulting in haunting, ethereal portraits.

• Salt Printing – one of the earliest photographic printing techniques, producing images with a unique softness and warmth.

  
  

Why Do Artists Choose These Methods?

For many photographers, alternative processes offer more than just a vintage aesthetic—they offer a way to slow down and reconnect with the craft of image-making. These methods require patience, technical knowledge, and often a willingness to embrace unpredictability. Each print is unique, imbued with the touch of the maker’s hand.

Alternative processes also invite cross-disciplinary exploration. Photographers may find themselves mixing chemistry, experimenting with watercolor brushes, or building custom printing rigs. The result is a hybrid art form that bridges photography, painting, and sculpture.

A Contemporary Revival

Far from being relics of the past, alternative processes are experiencing a resurgence. Today’s artists are combining these historic methods with contemporary themes—exploring identity, memory, environmental concerns, and more. The deliberate pace and physicality of these processes can feel like a radical act of resistance in a fast-moving digital culture.

At our gallery, we’ve seen a growing number of submissions and exhibitions that highlight the power of these techniques. Whether used to elevate a conceptual project or to push the boundaries of material experimentation, alternative process photography challenges the viewer to reconsider what a photograph can be.

Supporting the Practice

As a gallery committed to both innovation and tradition, we’re proud to provide a platform for alternative process artists. We encourage collectors, curators, and photography lovers to engage with this evolving field. The work may be rooted in history, but its impact is thoroughly contemporary.

Interested in alternative process photography? 

Keep an eye on our upcoming calls for entry—we welcome submissions that embrace the unconventional, the handmade, and the historically rich.

The following artists have pioneered or revitalized these methods and have contributed significantly to their recognition in the broader photography world.

Cyanotype

Anna Atkins

Often credited as the first female photographer, Atkins used cyanotype in the 1840s to create botanical studies., Atkins created delicate cyanotypes of algae in the 1840s. Her book Photographs of British Algae is the first known publication illustrated with photographs.

• Explore her cyanotypes at the The Museum of Modern art: https://www.moma.org/artists/231-anna-atkins

Christina Z. Anderson

A contemporary photographer and educator, Anderson has expanded the expressive range of cyanotype with experimental toning and layering techniques. Her books are key resources for alternative process practitioners.

• Visit her official website: (christinazanderson.com)

Platinum/Palladium Printing

Irving Penn

The legendary fashion photographer also produced luminous platinum prints of still lifes and portraits, demonstrating the process’s exceptional tonal richness.

• View his platinum-palladium prints at The Metropolitan Museum of Art: (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Dick Arentz

An expert on platinum/palladium printing and a highly regarded educator, Arentz has helped preserve and refine the technical aspects of the process for future generations.

• Explore his work and resources: (dickarentz.com)

Gum Bichromate

Robert Demachy

A key figure in the Pictorialist movement, Demachy used gum bichromate to produce moody, impressionistic images that blurred the line between photography and painting.

• View his work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art: (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Joyce Tenneson

Known for her ethereal portraits, Tenneson’s work has influenced contemporary photographers exploring the soft, expressive qualities achievable with gum printing.

• Visit her official website: (Joyce Tenneson)

Wet Plate Collodion (Tintypes and Ambrotypes)

Mathew Brady

A foundational figure in American photography, Brady documented the Civil War using wet plate collodion, creating some of the most enduring images in U.S. history.

• Learn more about his work at The Metropolitan Museum of Art: (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Sally Mann

Renowned for her haunting landscapes and portraits, Mann reintroduced wet plate collodion to contemporary fine art photography with extraordinary emotional depth.

• Explore her process on Art21: (Art21)

Joni Sternbach

Sternbach gives this historical process a fresh perspective through her tintype portraits of surfers, creating striking juxtapositions of modern subjects and vintage technique.

• Visit her official website: (jonisternbach.com)

Salt Printing

William Henry Fox Talbot

The inventor of the salt print, Talbot helped launch photography as we know it. His 1844 publication The Pencil of Nature was the first commercially published photo book.

• View his salt prints at Harvard: (Harvard Projects)

Mark Osterman & France Scully Osterman

Modern masters of salt printing, this duo has revitalized 19th-century processes through hands-on workshops and museum-quality work that honors early photographic traditions.

• Learn about their workshops: (Scully & Osterman Studio)

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These artists have significantly contributed to the development and revival of alternative photographic processes. Exploring their work offers valuable insights into the diverse techniques and creative possibilities within the field of photography.