Search Results for: cyanotypes

The final vertotype print with subtle tones.

Vertotypes – Eco-printing, based on cyanotypes

During a residency at The Sustainable Darkroom, Pedro Mendes Leal learned Vertotype – a technique discovered by Jonathan Bradley,  similar to cyanotype, but developed with greater environmental awareness. Since then, he has been experimenting with and refining the process and shares what he has learned. Writer and photography / Pedro Mendes Leal Read the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. … Read more

Building an LED exposure box for cyanotypes and other processes

A practical guide to building a safe, reliable LED exposure box for cyanotype printing, enabling consistent results without relying on sunlight. Writer and photography / Manfred J. Semmler To be able to produce cyanotypes at any time, even without sunlight, I built an exposure box. The simplest solution is to take a piece of cardboard with a base slightly larger than the paper size, remove the bottom completely, and cut … Read more

Test pieces - top line with sodium carbonate, bottom line with salt. The pieces on the left were exposed wet, the pieces on the right were dried before exposure. NB there is some cross-contamination in the wet pieces!

Combining Cyanotypes, Chemigraphs and Transparencies. Part 4

In part 4 of our cyanotype series, Caroline Roberts continues her exploration of chemigraphs – abstract cyanotypes created through chemical reactions – by combining them with transparencies. Building on her previous articles, she experiments with how different drying and exposure methods affect the final image. Roberts compares results from outdoor and UV-unit exposures, revealing surprising variations in tone, blending, and contrast. Through detailed testing, she discovers that dried chemigraphs paired … Read more

Salt after exposing

Introducing Chemigraphs: Abstract Cyanotypes with Added Chemistry. Part 3

In the first two parts of this series, we explored how dilution, exposure time, and moisture can dramatically shift the tonal and colour range of cyanotypes. In this third instalment, Caroline Roberts pushes further by introducing everyday household chemicals into the mix – salt, alcohol, washing soda – each creating unpredictable, expressive effects. What began as an attempt to “address the blue” evolved into a new way of working, where … Read more

Rock #55 - a very dilute solution was used to coat the paper, the rocks were placed, and then more concentrated solution was added around two of the rocks

Working Wet: Techniques and Effects in Super-Wet Cyanotypes. Part 2

In part 2 of our cyanotype series, Caroline Roberts explores the “super-wet” technique – a variation where paper is soaked before coating, unlocking a vibrant spectrum of unexpected tones. Originally developed to cope with hot Texas weather, this method opens up creative possibilities for photograms, unconventional coating methods, and dramatic colour shifts. In this 5-part experimental cyanotype series, Caroline Roberts explores how variations in dilution, exposure, and moisture can expand the … Read more

UV exposure in a weather app. It's not 100% exact, but it's good enough if you don't have a UV meter.

Collab – Finding the perfect exposure time for printing cyanotypes in the sun

A cyanotype is made by exposing paper coated with light-sensitive cyanotype chemicals in the sun or under a UV light box, usually resulting in rich Prussian blue images. But exposure times vary, so what would be the best exposure time? –> Fill out form and share your exposure time, UV and colour of the final print here. If you used a UV unit or LED lamp to expose, the result … Read more

Students at Elk Elementary School made cyanotypes for this year's World Cyanotype Day

Cultivating Community Through Cyanotypes: Elk Ridge 4th Graders Shine

Elk Ridge Elementary’s 4th graders are learning how creativity can connect art, science, and local history through a cyanotype project that resonates with this year’s World Cyanotype Day theme: Cultivating Community. Using one of photography’s oldest techniques, cyanotypes, students gathered local plants, arranged them, and exposed them to sunlight – transforming simple materials into works of art that carry both personal and shared meaning. Writer and photography / May Morgan … Read more

Print the cyanotype

Cyanotypes in Real Time: A 5-Minute Creative Journey Wherever You Are

Cyanotypes are one of the most accessible photographic printing processes. With a few compact tools in your backpack, Christiane Casas shares how to create unique blue-toned prints on the go – in just five minutes! Whether you’re at the beach, in a park, or exploring a new city, this method lets you capture the moment in a tactile, artistic way. Here’s how to turn a snapshot into a cyanotype print. … Read more

Final tricolour cyanotype

Tri-Color Cyanotypes: Advancing the Techniques from Duotone

Building on the foundation of duotone cyanotype, Matthew Bary guides us through the next step – creating tri-colour cyanotypes, including a detailed step-by-step for preparing negatives. Drawing from earlier failed experiments. With emphasis on image selection, precision, and patience, this method reveals how vibrant, multi-layered cyanotypes can be achieved using simple materials and creative problem-solving. Writer and photography / Matthew Bary   My “duo tone” tests and instructions ultimately came … Read more

temp cyan workshop

Cyanotypes on Fabric. 4 hour workshop with Catriona Gray, London, UK

28th September 2024 10am – 2pm Darkroom London, in person   Details of event:   Learn how to coat fabric to expose for Cyanotype. Make your own tote bag with a beautiful cyanotype on it. We will use plants and objects and expose with a large UV unit.   Link to event: https://www.darkroomlondon.org/cyanotypesphotograms-chemigrams   Contact: info@darkroomlondon.org

Develop and dry the cyanotype

Duotone cyanotypes #7 – Print the final layer

Part 7 is the last in Matthew Bary’s series Duotone cyanotype on how to create and print the second layer of the duotone cyanotype print. It explains how to dilute the cyanotype solution for better control and shows the importance of proper registration when aligning the negative with the first layer print. Writer and photography / Matthew Bary The previous part Duotone cyanotypes #6 – Print the first layer.  Making the … Read more

Duotone cyanotypes #6 – Print the first layer

Part 6 in Matthew Bary’s series Duotone cyanotype with detailed instructions for the penultimate step in the due-tone cyanotype process, including preparing bleach and toning solutions, exposing the print, developing, bleaching, and toning the paper. Writer and photography / Matthew Bary A continuation from the previous article Duotone cyanotypes #5 – Shrink the paper. Text Making the first layer!   This is the second to final step for this due tone … Read more

Boil water and pour over

Duotone cyanotypes #5 – Shrink the paper

Part 5 in Matthew Bary’s series Duotone cyanotype shows how to prepare watercolor paper for printing due-tone cyanotypes, by shrinking the paper, coating it with cyanotype chemicals, and drying it thoroughly.  Writer and photography / Matthew Bary Once you have printed the negative as in Duotone cyanotypes #4 – Print the negative it is time to shrink the paper. In this section we are going to shrink the paper and … Read more

Dry the negatives

Duotone cyanotypes #4 – Print the negatives

Part 4 in Matthew Bary’s series on duotone cyanotype provides instructions for printing negatives using various Canon printers and transparency film. It includes details on printer settings, ink choices, and the printing process for both cyan and magenta + yellow negatives. Writer and photography / Matthew Bary Once you have created a negative Duotone cyanotypes #3 – Make negatives using GIMP you can print the negatives. It may seem odd to … Read more

Brighness negative

Duotone cyanotypes #3 – Make negatives using GIMP

Part 3 in Matthew Bary’s series Duotone cyanotype is a detailed guide for creating cyanotype negatives using Gimp software. It covers steps for flipping images, adjusting colors, adding registration marks, separating images into color components, applying curves, and exporting negatives for cyanotype printing. Writer and photography / Matthew Bary Lets start with a picture we want to use based on the previous step Duotone cyanotypes #2 – Pick your subject. … Read more

image with white border

Duotone cyanotypes #2 – Pick your subject

Part 2 in Matthew Bary’s series Duotone cyanotype about choosing subjects for cyanotype printing and considering the limitations of the duotone cyanotype process. With two-layer cyanotypes, color options are restricted, favoring black, white, brown, red, or blue hues. Writer and photography / Matthew Bary Following on from Duotone cyanotypes #1 – Many failed attempts, the first thing to note for the duotone cyanotype process is that only using two layers … Read more

Duotone cyanotypes #1 – Many failed attempts

Matthew Bary started his toning journey here with Creating multi-coloured cyanotype prints and Multi colored cyanotypes. He has since worked out his method of toning cyanotypes and shares it here in this 7-part series. Get ready to dive in! Writer and photography / Matthew Bary A few years ago I (Matthew Bary) found an article on Multi colored cyanotypes  from 2010 on making multi-layer cyanotypes. At the time I thought … Read more

Detail of the milkweed seeds experiment.

Transforming Objects – Cyanotypes on Teabags and Shells

Émilie Léger turns everyday things into stunning art pieces. From eggshells to tea bags, she works her magic with ordinary items, creating something extraordinary along the way. Writer and photography / Émilie Léger “In my recent cyanotype work, I have been experimenting with the cyanotype process on everyday objects. By doing this, I find a new use for familiar objects and I use them for contemporary experimentation.” Cyanotypes on objects … Read more

3D cyanotype sculpture: "Stuck" is called stuck because the material is stuck onto the torso with both acupuncture needles and regular needles.

Cyanotypes in the shape of 3D sculptures

Who said cyanotypes have to be a flat 2-dimensional piece of art? Amy Heller had been working with cyanotypes for a long time and wanted to try something new, so she turned to 3-dimensional sculpture. Photography / Amy Heller Amy Heller’s “Still Lives” evolved into a series of three-dimensional, collaged cyanotype on fabric sculptures using photographs of classical sculpture, starting with mannequins and then using eggs, a symbol of renewal. … Read more

Two negatives are placed on a piece of cotton cloth: size approx. A2.

Cyanotypes – how blue can you get?

Ray Harris gives an overview of the cyanotype process and his interpretation of blues and shares his cyanotype process. Writer and photography / Ray Harris Anna Atkins was born on 16 March 1799 and produced the first book to include ‘photographs’ which were in fact, cyanotypes. This post goes into more detail on making cyanotypes at home. The process, in its simplest form, is to mix two chemicals to produce … Read more

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