This calendar is undated (more "un-yeared" and can be used for ANY year. In 1843, Anna Atkins published the first book illustrated with photographs. This calendar is a tribute to her. 12 cyanotypes were created by 12 different artists in honour of Anna Atkins to illustrate the calendar. A cyanotype, also called a blueprint, is an alternative photographic process. Unlike traditional black-and-white photographs that are set in silver, cyanotypes are created using a solution of iron compounds. The cyanotype photographic process was invented by Sir John Herschel and is one of the earliest photographic processes. Sir John Herschel was a family friend of the Atkins family, and Anna Atkins learned the cyanotype process and used it for her work. Anna Atkins was a pioneer and the first person to make a book with photographs, published in 1843. Instead of using drawings and illustrations to document leaves, plants, feathers and lace, she used the cyanotype process. This calendar is a tribute to Anna Atkins and her work. A tribute event - where artists sent in cyanotypes in Anna Atkins' style or created a photogram in her honour - was held at AlternativePhotography.com. Cyanotype prints from 12 artists - carefully selected by a jury - illustrate this calendar. The initiative was started by AlternativePhotography.com – a resource dedicated to teaching historical photographic methods in use today and to encourage photographers and artists to learn, get inspired and connect. Any profits from sales of this calendar will contribute towards the costs of running the website. Learn more: www.AlternativePhotography.com/calendars