Blueprint to cyanotypes

Exploring a historical alternative photographic process

Malin Fabbri and Gary Fabbri

38 USD

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An excellent beginners' guide to cyanotypes!

Buying 5 copies or more for workshops, events or exhibitions? Get a bulk discount.

• Format: Paperback, 68 pages, full color
• ISBN: 978-1-4116-9838-3
• Publisher: AlternativePhotography.com (2006)
• Printed by: Lulu.com
• View table of content (pdf)
• Press release (pdf)

See it before you buy?

A copy of the book can bee seen at William Morris Hunt Memorial Library at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

About the book

The cyanotype is often the first alternative process that people try. It is relatively easy and safe enough to nurture a child's interest in photography. It can also be seen as a gateway to further exploration of historic photographic methods. In addition, it gives experienced photographers and artists a great excuse to take their eyes off the computer screen and get their hands dirty.

Blueprint to cyanotypes is all you will need to get started with cyanotypes. It offers the beginner a step-by-step guide, from choosing material to making the final print. It is full of information and tips. Even the experienced cyanotypist may learn a thing or two.

Blueprint to cyanotypes is published by AlternativePhotography.com - a website and information center dedicated to alternative photographic processes.

From Malin Fabbri:

Why a book on cyanotypes?
Of all the alternative processes the cyanotype is the one closest to my heart. I made my first cyanotype in 1999. I was intrigued by the blue images and wanted to test the cyanotype process to see what it had to offer. I bought chemicals and spent an evening coating paper and cloth. The results of the next day's printing surprised me.

Although the alchemy of the darkroom had always captivated me, developing a print in the sun was like a liberation. One of the things I found most refreshing about the process was the unpredictability of the results. Some of my best prints were the product of 'happy accidents'.

The developing process is straightforward. The chemicals are cheap, and most of the other items used can be found around the house. Pre-coated paper is available, but one of the benefits of working with cyanotypes is the great flexibility of material and paper available to you. Cyanotypes print on anything made of natural fibre. Cotton, linen, silk, handmade paper, watercolor paper and rags are just number of alternatives. Some artists even print on wood.

So, if you want to explore a fun alternative photographic process or seriously want to experiment with producing unique fine art, make a cyanotype.

About the authors

Malin Fabbri, from Sweden, has over 8 years of printing experience in cyanotypes and teaching workshops. Blueprint to cyanotypes is a result of a Masters thesis from Central St. Martin’s School of Design in London, in “alternative photography”. The research for the thesis involved a lot of work with cyanotypes and also sparked the idea for the book. Malin also started the website, AlternativePhotography.com – an information centre for historic photographic methods in use today. She is still actively managing its expansion as the editor.

Gary Fabbri is from Rhode Island, USA. An early interest in writing and drawing led him to pursue both fine art painting and writing. His paintings have been exhibited throughout the east coast. His master’s thesis lead him to find work in the television industry and he moved to London to work as an editor and writer/director. As a director Gary has made numerous shortfilms, television adverts, programmes and documentaries. Gary and Malin moved to Stockholm in 2004 where Gary runs his own company, and continues to write, direct, paint and make cyanotypes.