Isn’t it amazing to think that just like many young people get a confused look on their faces when you show them a vinyl record,  so has the use of film photography reached the brink of extinction.  But there are some photographers who are keepin’ it old school, like this month’s Facebook Featured Artist, Thomas Hager.

Tom uses historic photographic processes of kallitype and cyanotype, which involves mixing chemicals and hand applying them to high quality archival paper.  The process involves contact printing an enlarged negative onto the paper, then fixing the image in a bath of sodium thiosulfate.

The results of this process create a painterly texture to each print, as the inks settle down into the paper rather than laying on top of it.

The monochromatic quality of these processes enhance the visual texture in each image, much like a black and white photograph might.  Yet the actual printed texture makes Hager’s cyanotypes and kallitypes feel more like richly hued paintings rather than photographs.

Thomas Hager’s work is currently on exhibition at the Jacksonville International Airport in my hometown ( and his! ), Jacksonville, FL.  His work is featured alongside another Artsy Forager favorite, Christina Foard.  So if you’re in Jax or happen to be traveling through JIA, don’t miss it!

You can see more of Tom’s work on his website.  His originals are sublime and worth every penny, but if you’re on a budget, check out Town Editions, Tom’s limited edition series!

All images via the artist.