Cyanotype (New)

Cyanotype is better known as blueprint which was used for many years copying building plans and also it was used for photographic printing.but recently the formula have been tweaked by Mike Ware and is called Cyanotype new which is more vibrant and it has a longer shelf life. This new process has a blue tonal range starting from a light sky blue and end a dark Prussian blue.

   

Ingredients 

-Cyanotype new solution

-paper (acid free)

-citric acid

-glass rod or hake brush

-pencil

-sticky tape

-negative film

Print

( Note: Don't let the Cyanotype to come in contact with metal and the Cyanotype solution should yellowy-green before its exposed )

step1: Tape the paper to a work table

Step2: Mark out film position on the paper.

Step3: Coat paper with Cyanotype solution using a glass rod or hake brush.

Step4: Dry the Cyanotype solution and tape down the negative over the dry Cyanotype.

Step5: Expose Cyanotype in a UV unit or in the sun.

Step6: Then develop.

Note:if you decide to guess the exposer instead of using the test strip method, the exposed print should look about 1 stops overexposed before developing because the image will wash out a little  

Process baths

Bath 1: develop,1% citric acid and water ( 2mins)

Bath 2: clearing,1%citric acid and water (5mins)

Bath 3: wash,running water (30mins)

Dry

Tone (optional)

Note : developing can be done just in water but the citric acid help the print to hold its bright blue colour and clear the whites

Chemicals:

Gold streets studios (Vic)

goldstreetstudios.com.au

Bostick and Sullivens (USA)

bostick-sullivan.com

References:

The alternative photography website

alternativephotography.com

The book of alternative photographic processes

C, James, 2009, The book of alternative photographic process, Delmar, USA

Here is a rough guide to cheaply tone Cyanotype prints

After the print has been made and is dry then mix a strong brew of black tea .Then soak print in it until the print changes colour. 

After the print has been made and is dry then mix a strong brew of coffee. Then soak print in it until the print changes colour. 

Normal Cyanotype print

Mix a bath of household bleach (Whiteking), pinch of bicarb soda and tap water. Pop the print in to the mix and watch it change,pull it out when you want it to stop and wash in water for around a hour to remove the bleach. The bleach will bleach the image out and the bicarb split the tones up.  

After the print has been made and is dry then mix a strong brew of black tea with a pinch of bicarb and then soak print in it until the print changes colour . Then wash to remove the bicarb but make sure not to wash the tea out. 

After the print has been made and is dry then mix a strong brew of black tea with a small amount of Dektol developer in it and then soak print in it until the print changes colour . Then wash to remove the Dektol but make sure not to wash the tea out.

Mix a bath of household bleach (Whiteking) and tap water. pop the print into the mix and watch it change,pull it out when you want it to stop and wash in water for around a hour to remove the bleach. The bleach will bleach the image out .

Mix a bath of Silvo silver cleaner and tap water. Pop the print in to the mix and watch it change,pull it out when you want it to stop and wash in water for around a hour to remove the Silvo. The Silvo will bleach the image out .