Cyanotype Toning

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.

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.

It is easy to make a picture. Right? Think again. Of course, in today world, pictures are everywhere and tools for making them are available to everybody. This is a good thing, of course. That was in the inception of photography and still is one of the main goals of this medium; ability to record and remember for everybody. This book takes you to the time when photographs were not easy to make; time when in order to make a photograph, you should have a knowledge of chemistry, medicine, geology, optics, physics, astronomy. When photography was not the right, but luxury; when it was not done with the click in the split of second, but it was slow work by hand. Cyanotype, Dive into the Blue Process, is a book that speaks about, for a long time now commercially obsolete but beautiful photographic process, the Cyanotype. The book is not intended for scientific research, advanced or professional photographic artwork. The book is intended for the starters in alternative photo processes and professional that could use simplification of the process. It is the summary of the experiences in working with this alternative process. However, this does not mean that the workflow is not complicated and it should be followed step by step. This book will cover all those steps needed to get educated and proficient in creation process. Today you can purchase every chemical needed for the creation of the cyanotype already premixed, even already presentenced paper. In that way you just need to put the negative, or the object we want to make a photogram of, and just expose it to the light. In this book you will find not just the chemical needed to make the solutions for mixing the your own magic lights catching potion, but also the reasons to do so. The cyanotype, the simplest among alternative photographic processes is made with combination of two, easy to get, chemicals. They have to be mixed in proper order and amounts for formula to work. These instructions should be followed strictly; however there is always space to experiment. Once the chemicals are separately mixed, they are also mixed together, and they become light sensitive. Once you have a light sensitive emulsion, you can start your work. In this book, we describe step-by-step, tool-by-tool, how do you get to this step and what you could expect. Everything else is left to you, your intuition, interests and creativity. For us, it was very important to perceive our work, so we taught it would be for you too. After you are done with creating, it is important to save your work, that is, to archive and present it in the right way. At the end of the book, its last chapters, you can find the sub-chapters that will explain the process of archiving and presenting, such as: flattening you prints; you can learn how to protect it from moisture and too much sun; how to mat your own work, and couple of different ways of framing your print. And believe me, if we could do it you can do it too About the Expert Marijana is a photographer based in Podgorica, Montenegro. She is student of Economy, but also for several years now a proficient photographer interested in analog technologies and alternative printing processes. Two years ago, Marijana tried Cyanotype process for the first time, immediately fell in love with it and since then uses it to create beautiful photograms of everything. It was not easy; she was charmed by Anna Atkins’ Book of British Algae, its beauty, process and history, and it was hard to match it. However, even limited by resources and even essentials, she is able to learn and create on everyday bases. Today, she is confident in her skill of creation, and feels the need to share her experience and knowledge with others! HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.

This practical book is a complete guide to the beautiful process of making cyanotype photograms and photographic prints, also known as camera-less photography and sun printing. It demonstrates the different ways to explore working with cyanotypes using toning techniques, gold leafing, decorative textures and artists' books. Aimed at all artists and photographers, it shows how the traditional method can be advanced to produce inspirational work.

New Dimensions in Photo Processes invites artists in all visual media to discover contemporary approaches to historical techniques. Painters, printmakers, and photographers alike will find value in this practical book, as these processes require little to no knowledge of photography, digital means, or chemistry. Easy to use in a studio or lab, this edition highlights innovative work by internationally respected artists, such as Robert Rauschenberg, Chuck Close, Mike and Doug Starn, and Emmet Gowin. In addition to including new sun-printing techniques, such as salted paper and lumen printing, this book has been updated throughout, from pinhole camera and digital methods of making color separations and contact negatives to making water color pigments photo-sensitive and more. With step-by-step instructions and clear safety precautions, New Dimensions in Photo Processes will teach you how to: Reproduce original photographic art, collages, and drawings on paper, fabric, metal, and other unusual surfaces. Safely mix chemicals and apply antique light-sensitive emulsions by hand. Create imagery in and out of the traditional darkroom and digital studio. Relocate photo imagery and make prints from real objects, photocopies, and pictures from magazines and newspapers, as well as from your digitial files and black and white negatives. Alter black and white photographs, smart phone images, and digital prints.

Written by internationally acclaimed artist and photographer Christopher James, THE BOOK OF ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES: 3rd Edition is the definitive text for students and professionals studying alternative photographic processes and the art of hand-made photographic image making. This innovative Third Edition brings the medium up to date with new and historic processes that are integrated with the latest contemporary innovations, adaptations, techniques, and art work. This 800 page edition is packed with more than 700 exquisite illustrations featuring historical examples as well as the art that is currently being made by professional alternative process, artists, teachers, and students of the genre. The third edition is the complete and comprehensive technical and aesthetic resource exploring and delving into every aspect of alternative photographic process photography. Each chapter introduces the history of a technique, presents an overview of the alternative photographic process that will be featured, reviews its chemistry, and provides practical and easy to follow guidance in how to make it work. In his conversational writing style, James also explores the idiosyncrasies, history, and cultural connections that are such a significant part of the history of photography. Featuring traditional and digital contact negative production as well as an array of processes, spread out over 28 chapters, THE BOOK OF ALTERNATIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES: 3RD EDITION delivers clear instructions, practical workflows and advice, humor, history, art, and immeasurable inspiration. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.

What you need to know to take amazing photos—or shoot movies!—with your Nikon D300s camera This portable, full-color guide explains all essential controls, features, and functions of the Nikon D300s camera, including the exciting new D-Movie with auto-focus feature, 3-inch LCD screen, quiet shutter release, and external microphone for movie recording. You’ll find step-by-step instructions and invaluable tips and tricks to help you take your best stills or live action, whether you’re capturing portraits, candid shots, sports or travel images, or macro photography. Shows you how to get the very most out of your new Nikon D300s digital camera Discusses in detail all the essential controls, features, and functions of the Nikon D300s, including the new D-Movie feature Provides step-by-step instructions and full-color images of each menu screen Explains not only how to adjust white balance, autofocus, exposure, and other settings, it explains when and why you should adjust these settings Gives you a thorough digital photography refresher on lighting and composition Shares valuable tips and tricks to help you capture amazing shots Shows you topic-specific secrets to capturing portraits, candid shots, sports or travel photos, macro photography, and others Now that you have a Nikon D300s, make sure you have a copy of the Nikon D300s Digital Field Guide!