Actual Cyanotypes

First things first, what color is cyan?? It is a type of blue, used in printing. There are different shades of it.

<<<< This one is rather bright!

Cyanotypes are another form of alternative processing. It was originally created as a way to make copies of drawings or photos. In the 1900s it was used to make "blueprints" by architects and builders. Sir John Herschel invented the cyanotype process in 1842, but Anna Atkins brought it to popularity. The chemicals used are sensitive to UV light and produce blue-toned prints when exposed and washed.

Directions:

Select a series of photos you are proud of.
Start by resizing them PROPORTIONALLY. You can do this by clicking CONSTRAIN PROPORTIONS and RESAMPLE IMAGE.

NOTE: You will be making a DIGITAL NEGATIVE to great a POSITIVE cyanotype.

3. Create a digital negative. A negative shows all things dark as light and light as dark:

Start with your image
Turn it Black and White.
Invert by pushing "Command and i"

1. Original Image

3. Inverted

2. B/W

TIPS:

turn UP the contrast and DOWN brightness.
- When printing, you want MORE ink on the lighter parts of your image, otherwise the iamge will appear faded.

You now have a black and white negative for one of you images!

4. Print this inverted image -or negative- on a transparency.

5. Cut and place the transparency on top of the cyanotype paper (wet or dry).

You can do it on wet or dry paper
The thicker the chemical layer, the better
Experiment with ink side up or down to see if the print is clearer or not.

6. Place a piece of glass that covers both the transparency and paper into DIRECT SUNLIGHT (outside).

The glass helps prevent movement of the negative on the paper.

7. Exposure time varies based on type of sunlight and type of negative.

It may take a few tries to get the correct exposure for your image. Now's the time for experimentation and patience!
I will show you how to make a "Test Sheet" to figure that out if your image is not appearing.

8. Once your exposure is done, rinse it with water until the water runs clear. This is your way of "fixing" or "setting" the image.