UV light

LED light on an arm

Using LED lamps to expose alternative photographic processes prints

Exposure is one of the most important variables in alternative photographic printing. While sunlight remains the traditional choice, UV LED lights have become a practical and reliable alternative. They allow artists to print regardless of the weather or season while providing consistent, repeatable exposure conditions. We asked artists around the world to share the LED lights they use, along with their exposure times and results. This article summarises those responses … 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

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

Blueprint how to make a UV light box

Build a DIY UV Light Box for Alternative Photography for Home or Classroom

A dependable UV light source is essential for many alternative photographic processes, especially when sunlight isn’t available. Paige Billin-Frye and Mac Cosgrove-Davies share two practical, easy-to-build designs – one made from an IKEA coffee table, the other a purpose-built portable box. Both are affordable, effective, and ideal for processes like cyanotype, gum bichromate, and platinum printing. Writer and photography / Paige Billin-Frye and Mac Cosgrove-Davies An ultraviolet (UV) light source … Read more

Wagner Lungov's UV solar exposure meter B

UV printing using sunlight – with total control

Using sunlight as a light source when printing can give unpredictable results. Wanger Lungov explains how a UV exposure meter can help when printing for example Van Dyke Brown, Cyanotype, Gum Bichromate and anthotypes. Writer and photography / Wagner Lungov Most of us probably started in Alternative Photography printing processes using sunlight. More than often that was in a school or community activity and just for the sake of curiosity … Read more

UV LED Box – LED Strips

Build a UV led box for cyanotypes

Gavin Lyons shows how to make a Cyanotype image with a UV LED box. Cyanotypes are traditionally developed in sunlight, but in the winter the UV light isn’t so strong and readily available. Here is how to make a Cyanotype, Van Dyke Brown or Salt Papers at any time during the year. Writer and photography / Gavin Lyons This box will produce an A3 or A4 size cyanotype print just … Read more