Few things are more frustrating than being ready to print – only to discover you’re out of supplies, or that the paper you grabbed last minute ruins your image. Use it to learn or to take part in World Cyanotype Day. We have put together a handy checklist of materials, plus some recommended reading if it’s been a while since you last printed – or if you’re just curious to … Read more
Thought about visiting the Herschel Family Archives at the Harry Ransom Center? Through the lens of her own experimental cyanotype practice, Caroline Roberts explores Sir John Herschel’s original lab notes, anthotype test pieces, and poetic observations, drawing powerful connections between a 19th-century pioneer and a contemporary artist devoted to process, discovery, and wonder. Writer and photography / Caroline Roberts In June 2022, I visited the Herschel Family Papers, stored at … Read more
Browse our collection of cyanotype books for inspiration, practical guidance, and new ideas. You will find everything from clear step-by-step introductions to more advanced techniques and contemporary artistic approaches. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to push your practice further, these books are a great way to learn, experiment, and stay inspired. Blueprint to cyanotypes – Exploring a historical alternative photographic process by Malin Fabbri and Gary Fabbri … Read more
Gain time access to my studio and kit depending on your alternative photography project. Studio works primarily as Magda Kuca’s personal workspace, open access will be available on selected days. I will be present on the day to induct and answer any questions but you will be working independently, with prior knowledge of the chosen process and / or you have previously attended one of my workshops and feel confident working … Read more
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 Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use … Read more
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 Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. A continuation from the previous article Duotone cyanotypes #5 – Shrink the paper. … Read more
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 Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. Once you have printed the negative as in Duotone cyanotypes #4 – Print the negative it … Read more
Ray Harris gives an overview of the cyanotype process and his interpretation of blues and shares his cyanotype process. Writer and photography / Ray Harris Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. 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 … Read more
An cyanotype is an historic alternative photographic process invented in the 1840s by Sir John Herschel. Though it’s over 180 years old, many people still practice the art of cyanotyping today. Want to learn? Quicklinks How to make cyanotypes article More cyanotype articles Get the how-to book: Blueprint to cyanotypes Document your cyanotypes in our notebook Cyanotype notes Find inspiration in the Cyanotype galleries full with artists sharing their work … Read more
The 30th of September 2023 is World Cyanotype Day, read more here and on World Cyanotype Day’s official website. The theme of the year is Inheritance. Get our Special Cyanotype Newsletter to get notified Artists with a gallery on AlternativePhotography.com Artists that also have a gallery on AlternativePhotography.com will be displayed with a link to the gallery so you can see their full portfolio. To get a gallery, take a … Read more
Apart from being a brilliant scientist and botanist, Anna Atkins was also an artist. She created numerous prints from plants, lace and feather arrangements. This is how you can print your own cyanotypes in Anna Atkins’ style. We have done research, but not managed to find out a lot on paper or oils used, so if you possess ANY knowledge at all in terms of which paper or oil was … Read more
For several years now, Jennifer Booher has been making double-exposure cyanotype photograms of disposable plastic shopping bags. She calls the series “Extinction” and it began after her town banned plastic bags as a tongue-in-cheek typology imagining these bags as an endangered species. Writer and photography / Jennifer Steen Booher Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. The process is pretty … Read more
It’s here again, and it’s now open for entries, find physical locations here or read below how to enter in our gallery at AlternativePhotography.com. See you there? We have started taking entries and will post them in our gallery until the deadline 30th of September 2023 (midnight your time zone Cyanotype Day). Do make our lives a little easier by following ALL of the steps, please. 🙂 We are supporting … Read more
by Galina Manikova Buy “Cyanotype on glass and ceramics” directly from Galina Manikova Why buy it here? When you choose the option to buy directly from the author, the book is shipped by the author ensuring most of the money goes to the author. Galina’s first edition of the book. Customer rating: Not yet rated The book E-book: 177 pages, A4 format, colour Read a sample chapter: … Read more
Cyanotype is a easily accessible process with one limitation. It’s blue. Unless you know how to create multi-coloured cyanotypes. Here is how. Writer and photography / Jo Bind with tricolour section by Sehera Nawaz Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. It was literally out of the blue when I first saw a post by Annette Golaz on the cyanotype … Read more
The 24th of September 2022 is World Cyanotype Day. The theme of the year is “Enlighten”. This year we have 333 cyanotypers from 40 countries! Artists with a gallery on AlternativePhotography.com Artists that also have a gallery on AlternativePhotography.com will be displayed with a link to the gallery so you can see their full portfolio. To get a gallery, take a look here. ➥ Angela Chalmers, UK, Illumination, @angela_chalmers_studio ➥ … Read more
Cyanogifts – a collective from Macedonia – channel their creativity into placing art on everyday objects, like their cyanotype tote bags. How did Cyanogifts start? Cyanogifts was an idea that started from our love for alternative photographic processes. The idea is fairly old, yet, as we say, the star constellations were not adequate to make it happen. “We wanted to place our love and passion for cyanotypes into something practical, … Read more
Cyanotypes can be printed on Japanese washi paper with added textures and fine results. But washing Japanese washi paper is a fine art in itself. Adam Welch shares his method. Writer and photography / Adam Welch Read the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) before attempting to use chemicals and use the correct safety equipment. Any logical person might ask “But why”? And who am I to disagree? “In fact, it’s perfectly … Read more
The ‘Blythtype’, is a variation on Cyanotypes by Jeff Blyth where a positive print is made from a positive image. It also has increased light sensitivity through the introduction of a photosensitive dye. Cyanotype experimenters are encouraged to have a go, though NOT for beginners. Writers and photographers / Jeff Blyth and Martin Richardson WARNING: ADVANCED USERS ONLY: This process requires experience with photographic chemistry, safety equipment, appropriate laboratory procedures, … Read more
The 25th September 2021 was World Cyanotype Day. The theme of the year is “Rejuvenation” and 427 artists from 54 countries took part. Enjoy all this wonderful inspiration… Artists with a gallery on AlternativePhotography.com These artists also have galleries here, so see more of their work on the links. ➥ Chris Byrnes, Australia, Sunflower @lady_camera_obscura ➥ Cissy Spoelstra, Netherlands, ResurrectionCissy Spolestra ➥ Dennis Humprey, Canada, New life under the sun … Read more