The first accounts of the cyanotype process was in 1842 by sir John Herschel, who was an astronomer and researched these processes for scientific reasons. As in the image (left, from one of our workshops), the results leave you with a blue/cyan colour image.
Nevertheless, Anna Atkinson - a friend of Herschel- had been studying the form of plants and algae and found it difficult to document the detail of her samples. Thus, used the process to create photograms of her findings. The results were collected and published into one of the first book illustrations of early photography.
Nevertheless, Anna Atkinson - a friend of Herschel- had been studying the form of plants and algae and found it difficult to document the detail of her samples. Thus, used the process to create photograms of her findings. The results were collected and published into one of the first book illustrations of early photography.
The process is made by mixing Ferric ammonium citrate and Potassium ferricyanide together with water, before treating paper under tungsten light and leaving to dry in a dark place or room. Once dried you can place photographic negatives, objects (or like Atkinson) plants to the surface of the paper before exposing the glass covered objects and paper to the U.V light in the form of a light box or better still sunlight. Throughout the month I will be experimenting with the various ways of making Cyanotype images.
Watch this space
Natalie x
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