Blueprint To Cyanotypes Exploring A Historical Alternative Photographic Process

An excellent beginners’ guide to cyanotypes – all you need to get started, and some goodies for more advanced cyanotypers too. About the book The cyanotype is often the first alternative process that people try. It is relatively easy and safe enough to nurture a child’s interest in photography. It can also be seen as a gateway to further exploration of historic photographic methods. In addition, it gives experienced photographers and artists a great excuse to take their eyes off the computer screen and get their hands dirty. Blueprint to cyanotypes is all you will need to get started with cyanotypes. It offers the beginner a step-by-step guide, from choosing material to making the final print. It is full of information and tips. Even the experienced cyanotypist may learn a thing or two. Blueprint to cyanotypes is published by AlternativePhotography.com – a website and information center dedicated to alternative photographic processes. From Malin Fabbri, the author: Why a book on cyanotypes? Of all the alternative processes the cyanotype is the one closest to my heart. I made my first cyanotype in 1999. I was intrigued by the blue images and wanted to test the cyanotype process to see what it had to offer. I bought chemicals and spent an evening coating paper and cloth. The results of the next day’s printing surprised me. Although the alchemy of the darkroom had always captivated me, developing a print in the sun was like a liberation. One of the things I found most refreshing about the process was the unpredictability of the results. Some of my best prints were the product of ‘happy accidents’. The developing process is straightforward. The chemicals are cheap, and most of the other items used can be found around the house. Pre-coated paper is available, but one of the benefits of working with cyanotypes is the great flexibility of material and paper available to you. Cyanotypes print on anything made of natural fibre. Cotton, linen, silk, handmade paper, watercolor paper and rags are just number of alternatives. Some artists even print on wood. So, if you want to explore a fun alternative photographic process or seriously want to experiment with producing unique fine art, make a cyanotype.

The cyanotype is often the first alternative process that people try. Digital photography has given this historical process new life. Now you can create negatives in your computer and develop the prints in the sun, combining one of the earliest photographic techniques with the latest. The cyanotype process is a perfect compliment to today's digital photography, whether you are making creative prints or fine art. It gives experienced photographers and artists a great excuse to take their eyes off the computer screen and get their hands dirty. Blueprint to cyanotypes is all you need to get started with cyanotypes. It is full of information and tips. It is also inspiration to see samples of 19 artists currently working with cyanotypes. Blueprint to cyanotypes is published by AlternativePhotography.com - a website and information center for alternative photographic processes, dedicated to education and research.

Cyanotype is the most accessible and frequently used of all the alternative photographic processes. When utilized properly, it has the potential to rival other processes when it comes to detail and tonal range, but its Prussian blue color isn’t always suitable for the final photograph. Throughout history, cyanotype prints have been toned not only with various—and at times hazardous—chemicals but also with more natural ingredients like tea and coffee. Since the cyanotype itself is non-toxic, Cyanotype Toning will champion an innovative process, developed by the author, of toning cyanotypes with natural material. This process, which is easy and reliable, offers a much broader range of possible colors and even beautiful black and whites. Even duotone or tricolor prints can be attained. The book consists of two parts. Part One is a step-by-step how-to section including all the information that a student at any level needs to achieve a successfully toned print. Easy-to-understand background information is provided on how and why the process works so that readers can venture on their own into the world of natural colors. The first part also has a detailed section on all the factors that can influence the outcome, like paper choice, water quality, properties of the plants, temperature of the bath and the duration of the toning. Part Two is devoted to contemporary artists who have explored toning with botanicals and integrated the process into their creative practice. The book includes: A list of equipment and supplies needed. In depth information about useful plants and the specific properties that make them suitable for toning cyanotypes. Concise step-by-step instructions for printing cyanotypes successfully. A chart of more than 60 tested papers with recommendations on paper choice. Step-by-step generic instructions on toning with botanicals. Troubleshooting toning with botanicals. More detailed recipes for specific colors with information about the plants. Step-by-step instructions on how to print duotone and tricolor prints. A range of creative ideas on how to use the process in classrooms and with different age groups. A comprehensive list of more than 380 tested parts of plants and possible color outcomes. Using botanicals to tone cyanotypes broadens the color spectrum, enlarges creative possibilities and makes the cyanotype process even more versatile. The process is not cut and dried science but a limitless field for discovery and surprises. Cyanotype Toning provides accessible information and instructions for readers at all levels. It is comprehensive and explanatory, so that readers can expand on the subject on their own, as did the contemporary artists who share their experiences and the works they have created using this innovative toning process.

Cyanotype: The Blueprint in Contemporary Practice is a two part book on the much admired blue print process. Part One is a comprehensive how-to on the cyanotype process for both beginner and advanced practitioners, with lots of photographs and clear, step-by-step directions and formulas. Part Two highlights contemporary artists who are using cyanotype, making work that ranges from the photographic to the abstract, from the traditional to the conceptual, with tips on their personal cyanotype methods alongside their work. These artists illustrate cyanotype’s widespread use in contemporary photography today, probably the most of any alternative process. Book features include: A brief discussion of the practice of the process with some key historical points How to set up the cyanotype ÒdimroomÓ The most extensive discussion of suitable papers to date, with data from 100+ papers Step-by-step digital negative methods for monochrome and duotone negatives Chapters on classic, new, and other cyanotype formulas Toning to create colors from yellow to brown to violet Printing cyanotype over palladium, for those who want to temper cyanotype’s blue nature Printing cyanotype on alternate surfaces such as fabric, glass, and wood More creative practice ideas for cyanotype such as handcoloring and gold leafing Troubleshooting cyanotype, photographically illustrated Finishing, framing, and storing cyanotype Contemporary artists’ advice, techniques, and works Cyanotype is backed with research from 120 books, journals, and magazine articles from 1843 to the present day. It is richly illustrated with 400 photographs from close to 80 artists from 14 countries. It is a guide for the practitioner, from novice to expert, providing inspiration and proof of cyanotype’s original and increasing place in historical and contemporary photography.

"Learn how to create ... beautiful, subtle, blueprints on gorgeous fabrics. Also, find out how to create digital negatives, how to colour your cyanotypes and how to take care of your prints"--Back cover.

Learn to make prints using plants – an environmentally safe process in this book dedicated to anthotypes. Includes a comprehensive reference section on plants. About the anthotype book It is possible to print photographs using nothing but juice extracted from the petals of flowers, the peel from fruits and pigments from plants. This book will show you how it is done, and expand your creative horizons with plenty of examples from artists working with anthotypes today. Anthotypes will simply make you look at plants in a whole new light. And, if that is not enough, anthotype is a totally environmentally friendly photographic process. From Malin Fabbri, author Anthotypes will make you look at plants in a whole new light. It will show you how to make photographs from the juice of flowers, fruits and plants, using a totally environmentally friendly photographic process. Anthotype is a very delicate photographic process and an environmentally friendly way of making prints using nothing other than the photosensitive material of plants found in the garden, the flower market or in the wild. All you need to add is water, sunshine, inspiration and patience – a lot of patience! The process is very basic and simple. Utilizing nature’s own coloring pigments from flower petals, berries, plants, vegetables or even spices, images are produced using the action of light. The natural pigment is used to create a photographic image. What could be better? Your impact on the natural environment is virtually non-existent, and you can carry out your art with a clear conscience. Anthotyping is the ultimate environmentally friendly photo process.

Cyanotype is truly refreshing among the variety of books on historical and alternative photographic processes, since the author presents some old and almost forgotten techniques that are not seen in any recent book, and reveals some of the almost "secret", newer methods, such as production of bi-color cyanotype, double exposure techniques, etc... The book guides the reader with detailed descriptions and clear pictorial step-by-step instructions through the entire process of creating cyanotypes. At the beginning, we learn how to make chemicals, how to choose right paper, how to make digital negatives, how to expose the image, how to coat the paper with emulsion, and the like. In the following chapters are detailed descriptions on how to develop photographs, a large number of popular and some almost forgotten techniques of a simple one- and two-color toning of cyanotype, descriptions of making photograms, and a bit more challenging chapters of cyanotype printing on glass, stone and fabrics. The book does not lack practical examples of cyanotype for creating business cards, postcards, printed T-shirts and the like.

From pinhole to print will guide you from drilling your first pinhole to printing your first pinhole photograph. It is an easy to read, step-by-step guide to making a pinhole camera and creating images. Today – when most cameras are brimming with digital functionality – many seek relief in the simplicity of a basic pinhole camera. Pinholing is a very pure form of photography. The pinhole camera that you will build is simple, but pinholing has few limitations. Pinholing is a fantastic way to discover photography. Building the camera, loading the paper and taking a first picture gives the beginner an understanding of the basic skills used in photography. Developing your first print can be a thrilling experience. The artists’ gallery will inspire you to experiment and see how you can take your pinholing further. Once you get started you may even become a dedicated pinhead!