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The
Cyanotype
Blue Print
Photography
Image by Tony McLean
The Cyanotype, also
known as the
blueprint process,
allows the artist to
create images from
varied methods that
result in an image
with strong emotional
connotations
associated with the
color blue.
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Image by Pavel Nastin
History
The Cyanotype was first discovered by John Herschel in 1842, when he was
trying to find a way to copy his astronomy notes. He used hyposulphite of soda
with paper coated with iron salts to capture his images. When washed in water,
it left a white image with a deep blue background. Herschel later coined the
photographic terms photography, negative, positive, and snapshot.
In 1843, Anna Atkins used the cyanotype process to illustrate a biology book.
She incorporated the cyanotype process by placing real plant subjects directly
onto the treated paper, then exposed it to light, very similarly to the photogram
process used in a darkroom.
Later the pictorialists latched onto this process. Because the photographs
could be printed on textured papers it enhanced their “painterly” style. Ferroprussiate paper was marketed to the pictoralists because of its popularity.
Other than art, the cyanotype process was used extensively for copying
architectural plans, until the computer recently replaced this process.
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Image by John Herschel
Ladty with Harp 1853
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Image by Anna Atkins
Image from her book of ferns
Published 1843
Advantages of the Cyanotype
• An image can be printed on fabric, textured papers, or anything
else that will accept the chemical formula.
• The image can be produced using found objects, large format
negatives, or transparencies of photos or images.
• One does not need a darkroom for processing the image, just
bright sunlight and water.
• The size is determined by how large one can prepare the
surface. Bed sheets have been used to print life sized images
of people. Surface must be made of Natural materials, no
synthetics.
The Process…
1. Treat the paper or base with the cyanotype chemical formula
by brushing it on in a dimly lit room. Make sure even coats
are applied with a brush or roller.
2.
Allow the base to dry thoroughly in dim or no light.
3.
Place object or negative onto the base and set out into
direct sunlight or UV light. Time will vary depending on the
intensity of the light. (The sun does not work well in winter)
You will see the image oxidize in the light.
4. When the exposure is complete, wash the base in water to
remove any unexposed emulsion.
Contact Print
Areas that
blocked the
sun
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Area
that
received
full
sunlight
Image by Karl Burke
Negative /
Transparency
Print
Dark area of
negative
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Clear area
of negative
Image by Dale Cook
*** Safety ***
The chemicals used to coat the paper are dangerous.
Caution is needed.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wear safety goggles
Wear rubber gloves
Wear an apron
Wear a face mask
Use in a well ventilated area
Keep all food and drinks out of the area
Clean the work area thoroughly when finished
Cyanotype Chemical Formula
• Solution A: dissolve 36g ferric ammonium citrate (green) in 100
ml distilled water.
• Solution B: dissolve 16g potassium ferricyanide in 100 ml
distilled water.
• Store each solution in brown bottles out of the light in between
uses.
• Mix equal amounts of solution A and B for the desired amount to
cover the paper.
Martin Helmut Reis
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Edwardo Aites
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Francis Baker
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John H. Bolgiano Jr.
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Using a pinhole negative
Jouni Haapakoski
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Kathy Tarantola
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Resources:
Aurora Nilaam www.alternativephotography.com
Barbara London Photography 7th ed.
www.mikeware.demon.co.uk/cyano.html
http://photography.about.com/library/glossary/bldef_cyanotype.htm
www.mikeware.demon.co.uk
http://www.dgbn.com/photo/list_photo_p.php?process_id=4