Creating cyanotypes,a historic photography process
Cyanotype (sai·a·nuh·tipe)
A historic photographic process involving the mixing of chemicals onto a desired surface and using UV light to print an image onto it. The word cyanotype comes from the Greek meaning “dark blue” + “mark, impression”.This process is one of the oldest photographic processes and was published in 1842 by Sir John Herschel. Anna Atkins’ botanical prints are some of the most recognizable cyanotypes.
The cyanotype gives off a range of blue-green values in the image and blurs details.
The majority of cyanotypes are created by placing objects on top of the coated paper and using UV light to activate the chemicals. The images above were created by placing a digital negative on top to print the image.
Flowers and plants are more traditionally used for cyanotypes, and they can be beautiful. Here are a couple I did by placing the plants onto the coated paper, flatting it with a sheet of glass, and placing it into direct sunlight.
Coating the paper with the two-part solution can either be done with a puddle pusher or a brush. The brush leaves some streaking at the edges( as seen in the last image) giving it more of a handmade look. A puddle pusher was used on the first two, as the edges are more defined and neat.
View more of my cyanotypes here: Female Hysteria, 2022