Photogramsmedia cyanotypes

Created by Sir John Hershel in 1842Originally, cyanotypes were used in conjunction with scientific recordings of mathematical tables, a divers range of plant specimens and architectural plans

Anna AtkinsBritish scientistShe brought cyanotypes into the realm of photographyCyanotype books with ferns and other plane life

Contemporary Cyanotype

Using mixed media can be such a beautiful way to remanence.

These are photograms too.However, they are not cyanotypes.Let’s look at them for their composition. Both images demonstrate strong rhythm and repetition.

Can you figure out the themes?

What about these themes?Can you figure out how they were made?

Her are interesting examples of combining digital art into this photographic process.

Supplies1. Scale2. Distilled Water3. Light tight glass (non-

porous) bottles4. Potassium Ferricyanide> 8%

of solution part A5. Ferric Ammonium Iron

Citrate> 20% of solution part B

6. Hydrogen Peroxide7. Any surface that is capable

of soaking up the iron solution

8. Objects of interesting shape and translucence, for example:

laceplant materialglittersnake skintranslucent fabricnail polishprinted transparenciestextured threadflat or small beadsnegatives; including digital Negatives

CottonPlastic

GO BEYOND WHAT IS READYILYAVAILBLE ON HAND

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING IN ITEMS TO CREATE YOUR PHOTOGRAMS

1. Create a plan using your sketchbook. 

2. Set up a workspace for treating the watercolor paper. A dark room lit with a safe

light is ideal. In any event, the room should be as dim as possible and away from

direct sunlight.

3. Put on the safety gloves, and proceed with mixing the chemical solutions. A

common recipe calls for 25g ferric ammonium citrate and 100ml water in one

bottle, 10g potassium ferricyanide and 100ml of water in the other bottle. Mix until

the chemicals are fully dissolved. Important note: the 2 chemical solutions need to

remain separate until the paper is to be treated.

4. Place equal amounts of the 2 chemical solutions into the mixing cup. Cyanotype

chemicals are short-lived once mixed together, so mix only what you think you will

need for your project. You can always mix a little more, but unused cyanotype

mixture must be discarded. Solution works best if it sits over night.

5. Coat solution on paper or fabric. Decide if you want to mask the coating or paint it.

6. Dry with a hair dryer, place by a fan or lay flat to dry. 7. Allow the treated paper to dry thoroughly in a dark area. It is important to keep the

treated paper out of light until it is time for printing. Using a light tight bag is ideal

for storage of coated paper.

8. Carefully arrange the objects for photograms applying the Rule of Thirds to strengthen your dynamic composition onto the treated paper in the

darkened room. Try to create a wide range of values, a focal point and a dominant

principle of art when creating your composition.

9. Consider placing the negative and paper in a secure-backed picture frame or a

glass easel (contact printer) to hold the photogram objects in place. Once

everything is in place, cover with a light-protective cloth and carry outside.

10. If you are using transparencies, negatives or digital negatives, be sure that the printed side is the side touching the coated paper and remember to print font backwards.

11. Carefully sandwich the easel closed and clip the sides to make a strong contact. Place the frame under UV light (sunlight) or direct sunlight for

about 10 to 15 minutes (denser negatives might take longer). 12. When the solution looks dark grey, it is ready to be developed.

13. Once the paper has been exposed, bring inside and place it into the first plastic

tray. To develop the paper, carefully remove it from the frame and wash the print in three wash baths of fresh cool water. Allow it to in the first bath

under running water for about 5 minutes. Agitate the print in the second bath for

five minutes. In the third bath, pour two small drops amount of hydrogen peroxide on top the print. The Prussian blue created by the cyanotype solution will appear even stronger from the addition of the peroxide.

14. Hang print on clothesline or dry flat on screens

Photogram/Cyanotype Process

Finishing1. When print is dry it may be the finished product or you

can draw, paint, collage on the print, etc2. Use UV protectant glass when framing the work and

avoid pacing work near direct sunligh3. Complete Self Reflection and reference the Visual Arts

Rubric (Self-Assessment)   Tips & Warnings

It can be tricky getting the chemicals mixed just right. Some formulary sites actually offer bottles of pre-mixed cyanotype chemicals, which removes the guesswork and leaves more time for the fun stuff.

Cyanotypes can also be printed on other fibrous surfaces such as cloth.

Resources: Freestyle photo.biz www.photoformulary.com

 Lab Chemicals & ReagentsAcids, Bases, Solvents, Stains. Since 1951 - Ships Same Day!www.rmreagents.com

 Slides Converted to DiscKeep them, Protect Them, Share Them Larsen Digital - Since 1995www.SlideScanning.com

 filmoutputHigh Quality Positive-Negatives No Rush Chargeswww.FilmOutput.com HABS HAER HALSHistoric Documentation Professional Photographerwww.park-photo.com 

 

Evaluation

Things to consider…Have you created a dynamic composition? Did you consider your borders when coating your paper with solution?What is the theme of your work?Does your photogram evoke a specific mood or feeling?Did you explore a variety of objects to create a unique photogram?Did you properly expose your photogram? Does it show a wide tonal range including white and deep rich prussian blue?Has your photogram been properly developed? Be sure there are no stains on your work.

Dynamic CompositionVoiceValue/Tonal RangeCraftsmanshipPlanning/ReflectionTiming