Cyanotype is a historical photographic process that uses 'sun-printing' to create imprints of objects on a distinctive Prussian blue background. Invented in 1842 by Sir John Herschel, the cyanotype process was originally intended for for reproducing notes and diagrams. One year later (1843), Anna Atkins, a botanist and photographer, popularized the process in her book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. Cyanotype later served as the primary method for producing architectural blueprints until the 1950s.
The process involves coating paper (or fabric) with a light-sensitive solution; arranging objects (e.g., ferns, leaves, flowers, etc.) on the paper; and exposing the paper to sunlight. The areas exposed to light become blue shadows; the unexposed areas become highlights.
During the workshop, you will:
Learn methods of coating paper
Explore objects for cyanotype printing and arrange them on the coated paper
Expose the paper and objects to sunlight
Rinse and dry the exposed paper to create your final cyanotype image