Dmitry Poluektov Alternative Photography
Born in Lviv, with time I engaged in debates with friends over the "film versus digital".
I concluded later that alternative printing methods are a true source of inspiration and means of self-expression. You feel like a wizard alchemist in a dark room, where real magic unfolds and even mistakes can lead to discoveries.
The Cyanotype technique captivates me with its simplicity and with the diverse ways of toning while using botanical infusions.
The Vandyke Brown technique is more balanced and requires a more thoughtful approach.
I participated in an international photo salon "Abstract Art Photo 2018" in Kyiv, but only in 2024, did I feel ready to share my works more widely. In 2024 my works were selected for the "Integration of Light" alternative print photo salon in Ukraine.
The Vandyke Brown printing process is a historical alternative photography technique that produces a rich brown color. This process was patented in Germany in 1895 by Arndt and Troost. It’s named after the Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck. It is similar to cyanotype printing but yields brown-toned images instead of blue.
Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. It was invented in the mid-19th century by Sir John Herschel, an English scientist. The process involves treating a surface, typically paper or fabric, with a solution containing iron compounds. When exposed to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in a Prussian blue image.
Cyanotype is known for its distinctive blue color and has been used for various purposes, including architectural and engineering blueprints, as well as artistic and photographic prints. Alternative process photographers and artists particularly favor it due to its simplicity and unique aesthetic qualities.
