What is a cyanotype?
Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that gives a Cyan-blue print
The simple and low-cost process enabled them to produce large-scale copies of their work, referred to as blueprints Two chemicals are used in the process:
Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that gives a Cyan-blue print
The simple and low-cost process enabled them to produce large-scale copies of their work, referred to as blueprints Two chemicals are used in the process:
- ammonium iron (III) citrate
- potassium Ferdinande
History
The English scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel discovered this procedure in 1842. Though the process was developed by Herschel, he considered it as mainly a means of reproducing notes and diagrams, as in blueprints. It was Anna Atkins who brought this to photography. She created a limited series of cyanotype books that documented ferns and other plant life from her extensive seaweed collection. Atkins placed specimens directly onto coated paper, allowing the action of light to create a silhouette effect. By using this photogram process, Anna Atkins is regarded as the first female photographer.
The English scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel discovered this procedure in 1842. Though the process was developed by Herschel, he considered it as mainly a means of reproducing notes and diagrams, as in blueprints. It was Anna Atkins who brought this to photography. She created a limited series of cyanotype books that documented ferns and other plant life from her extensive seaweed collection. Atkins placed specimens directly onto coated paper, allowing the action of light to create a silhouette effect. By using this photogram process, Anna Atkins is regarded as the first female photographer.
How to make a cyanotype ?
you have to paint your photographic pater with the chemicals. you then have to go outside where there is natural light eg: sunlight. you then place your objects on the photographic paper making sure you don't move them because if you do when the image is developed later the image would be blurry .you have to leave the objects on the photographic paper in the sunlight for about 10-20 minutes. when that time is over you run it under water for a while then let it to dry.
you have to paint your photographic pater with the chemicals. you then have to go outside where there is natural light eg: sunlight. you then place your objects on the photographic paper making sure you don't move them because if you do when the image is developed later the image would be blurry .you have to leave the objects on the photographic paper in the sunlight for about 10-20 minutes. when that time is over you run it under water for a while then let it to dry.
My first cyanotype
I think that my first cyanotype went okay but not how I would of wanted it to go. what went well was that some of the objects came out really well. However most of my objects did not come out well you couldn't see it at all and some of my objects were moved too much making it look blurry. I would improve next time by choosing better objects that are more opaque and I will try and not move my objects too much. |