Cyanotype

In 1842, Sir John Herschel discovered the photographic process now known as the cyanotype process or blueprint process. This process was the first successful non-silver photographic printing process. Cyanotypes are produced by light sensitive iron salts instead of silver. Cyanotypes were used in the first photographically illustrated book. Anna Atkins was the first person to print and publish her own book which was entirely illustrated by photography, more specifically cyanotypes.  Three volumes of Atkins' book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions were produced between 1843 and 1853. The following prints are examples of cyanotypes from Atkins’ book. More examples from her book can be found on this website: http://www.photography-news.com/2011/03/remembering-anna-atkins-author-of-first.html

The cyanotype process was relatively easy and produced prints with great contrast.  First, we coated 100% rag paper with the cyanotype solution. Next, we put our paper and negatives in the printing frame and exposed the paper to the sunlight for about 15 minutes. The print was then washed in water for about half an hour.

Cyanotype Recipe:

Solution A was a mixture of 25 g Ferric ammonium citrate (green) and 100 ml water. Solution B was a mixture of 10 g Potassium ferricyanide and 100 ml water. Equal parts of both solutions are mixed to form the final cyanotype solution.

3 different toning solutions were available:

1) tea: tea and water

2) reverse: tea then strong ammonia

3) redevelopment: weak ammonia, rinse in water, tea

The original print turned out really nice. It had a lot higher contrast than the other processes we used previously and the blue color was more appealing to me. The prints weren’t streaky after they were developed and looked clear and even. I didn’t have nearly as many problems with coating in this process compared to others such as albumen.

I found it very interesting that this process was not very popular when it was first discovered. Here is a website with a variety of cyanotype images: http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/cyanotype/Interesting