A Cyanotype is an alternative photographic process where light sensitive chemicals can be applied to paper, wood, or fabric, and an image becomes exposed through UV light such as the sun. Images placed on the surface can range from plants, objects, digital and analogue film negatives. After exposure, the exposed surface is developed with water and a blue and white image appears. This process uses two chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide creating light sensitivity and the brilliant cyan colour.

History of Cyanotypes

The cyanotype process was historically used in the late 1800’s as a way to make blueprints and English botanist and photographer Anna Atkins was one of the first artists to make “photograms” by placing plant specimens directly onto the surface to create an image. She then went on to produce the worlds first photographically illustrated book, Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions. Although Anna Atkins was the first person to use Cyanotypes for photography, it was invented by John Herschel in 1842 in order to reproduce his notes and drawings.

The simplest kind of cyanotype print is a photogram. which is made by arranging objects on sensitised paper. Fresh or pressed plants/flowers are more commonly used but any solid object will create an image. A sheet of glass will press flat objects into close contact with the paper, resulting in a sharp image. Otherwise, three-dimensional objects or less than flat ones will create a more or less blurred image.

Process of making a Cyanotype