Cyanotype is a historic process that dates back to 1842, discovered/invented by Sir John Herschel.
A UV light sensitive solution, consisting of two chemicals, ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide is applied to paper by hand or by machine.
When the coated paper is exposed to bright UV light (sun), it undergoes a complex chemical reaction, eventually turning a vibrant, rich Prussian Blue color. The paper is processed, or cleared, in water. The color then intensifies with time/oxidation. The blue color can be altered, or reduced, with toning, sometimes with tea, coffee and other substances.
Cyanotypes can be used with negatives to create positive prints, objects to create photograms, or some combination of the two. There are also various experimental processes that can be tried, with sometimes quite exciting results. The process is non-toxic and safe for kids... just don't eat the paper or drink the processing water. Also called "Sun Prints."
Fun fact: this process used to be used commercially by architects and designers to create "blue prints."
Many artists, old and new, have used the process. It can be a love/hate relationship with the distinctive Prussian Blue. Some people just don't like it! One solution is to tone the print to another color.
Lately, there has been resurgence of interest in the process.
Here are a few examples from older to newer:
https://vagazine.com/masters-of-photography/john-dugdale-master-photographer/
https://fraenkelgallery.com/portfolios/cyanotypes
http://meghannriepenhoff.com/project/littoral-drift/
Christopher Jordanhttp://www.jordanphoto.com/?page_id=3402
Assignment, 318/418/518/618
For Wednesday, 9/9, by class time
- Gather/assemble some digital imagery to convert into negatives
- Build digital negative files and bring them to class
- Bring thin objects to photogram (lace, leaves, etc.)
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