Old Processes & New Artists
One of the older phtography process that interested me was cyanotypes. Sir John Herschel introduced cyanotypes to the world of photography in 1842. Herschel was an atronomer and needed a way to copy his notes. Later in 1843 Anna Atkins was the first to use cyanotypes, or any form of photography for that matter to illustrate a book.
Sir John Herschel
Anna Atkins
Here is how to make a cyannotype step by step:
Materials Needed:
- 25 grams of Ferric ammonium citrate (green)
- 10 grams of Potassium ferricyanide
- Water (distilled if possible)
- Scale or measuring spoons
- Measuring jug
- 3 glass containers for mixing ingredients
- Plastic spoons
- Face mask (DIY style)
- Goggles
- Rubber gloves
- Apron or old shirt
- Newspaper to cover work surface
- Cleaning cloth
- Brushes or coating rod
- Clothes pegs (plastic)
- Washing line or rope (plastic)
- Art paper or fabric for coating
- Glass or a contact print frame
- Sunshine or a UV light sourc
1. Dissolve the chemicals in water to make two separate solutions. Add Ammonium ferric citrate to water into one container and Potassium ferricyanide to water in another. Stir with a plastic spoon until the chemicals dissolve. Mix equal quantities of each solution together in a third container. Unused solutions can be stored separately in brown bottles away from light, but will not last very long once they have been mixed. Dispose of any unused chemicals in a sensible and environmentally friendly way!
2. Using a brush, simply paint the chemicals onto the material. Paper, card, textiles or any natural material can be used to print on. Decide how big your print is going to be, and cut your material to size. Make sure your working area is dimly lit, or lit with a low-level tungsten bulb. Once the material is coated, leave it to dry in the dark.
3. Print a cyanotype by placing your negative (to reproduce a photograph) or object (to make a photogram) in contact with your coated paper or fabric. Sandwich it with a piece of glass. Expose the sandwich to UV light. Natural sunlight is the traditional light source, but UV lamps can also be used. A photogram can also be made by placing items on the surface. Plants, decorative items or other objects can be used to create silhouettes or interesting shapes. Exposure times can vary from a few minutes to several hours, depending on how strong your lightsource is or the season where you are printing.
4. When the print has been exposed, process your print by rinsing it in cold water. The wash also removes any unexposed chemicals. Wash for at least 5 minutes, until all chemicals are removed and the water runs clear. Oxidation is also hastened this way – bringing out the blue color. The final print can now be hung to dry and be admired.
Modern Photogarphers Using this Process:
Neil Souch
JP Jackson
http://www.alternativephotography.com/gallery3/var/resizes/JP-Jackson/Cyanotypes/Blue%20road.jpg?m=1457168712
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