The cyanotype process was invented by Sir John Hershel in 1842 making it one of the oldest photographic processes. The first ever photobook was produced in 1843 using the Hershel process, by British scientist Anna Atkins. Amazingly, a number of Atkins’ original books still exist.
To produce a Cyanotype Print we need a negative the size of the desired print, watercolor paper that has been coated with light sensetive chemicals and a UV light source. In my practice the light source is the Sun, which is free, but not always dependable.
The negative starts with a black and white photograph (positive). Using photoshop, the image is inverted (negative), flipped horizontally and printed on transperency film.
Two chemical solutions are mixed immediately before the coating process. Once mixed the combined mixture is light sensetive. The watercolor paper is hand-coated with the chemicals, placed in a dark, cool environment and allowed to dry.
Coating
After the coated paper is dry, the negative and the now light sensetive paper are placed emulsion side to emulsion side in a contact print frame. The contact print frame has a split back so that one side can be opened and the paper examined without changing the registration of the two surfaces. After checking, If not sufficiently exposed, the back can be closed and the frame placed back in the sun.
Exposure time depends on the intensity of the sunlight, or UV Index. The UV Index varies by time of day, time of the year and amount of cloud cover or haze.
Once exposed, the paper is washed in a water bath with a small amount of acid. I use white vinegar.
The wet print is hung to dry and then pressed to flatten the paper.
NOW ACCEPTING COMMISSIONS FOR PEOPLE AND PET CYANOTYPE PRINTS
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