40 17 August 2019I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.ukI subscribe 0330 333 1113
Technique C YA N O T Y P E SMAKE A WETCYANOTYPE1 Coatthepaper
Mixsolutionsof ammoniumferriccitrate
andpotassiumferricyanide(dilutedasper
manufacturer’sinstructions)in equalparts.Lay
yourpaperona boardorglassandapplythe
solutionwitha foamorhakebrush.Youcando
thisin a uniformormoreartisticmanner.If you
areusingpre-prepared paper, spritz with water
to wet the surface.
2 Applyyournegative
Createyourcompositionbylayingyoursubject
onthewetpaper.Cyanotypeis a contact
printingprocess.Whereyoucoverthepaper
willnotexposeandtheareasexposedtothe
sunwillcolour,althoughwiththewetprocess
leaksandchemicalreactionstakeplaceand
freshbotanicalsmay also leave colour and
add moisture.3 Addalittleextra
I liketoapplysoapsudsliberallytoa lotof
mywetcyanotypesonceI amhappywithmy
compositionbecausetheyadda textured
result.Atthispointyoucouldalsoaddseasalt,
turmeric,paprika,coffeegrounds,andspritz
withdilutedvinegar– thisis thetimetoget
experimental!Thencoverwith glass and
clamp to hold in place.4 Exposure
Wetcyanotypescanbeleftin thesunfora few
hoursorfordaysorevenweekstodevelop.
Duringdevelopingyoumayseetheprintturn
blue,thenthecolourallbutdisappearonly
tocomebackwithstrongrustandgreytones.
Again you can experiment with this aspect.
5 Washyourprint
Washyourprintwithtapwateruntilthewater
runsclearandalltracesof yellowhavegone
fromtheunexposedparts.In a trayagitatefor
2-3minutes,changingwaterasneeded,and
thenleavetosoakfora couplemoreminutes,
agitating occasionally. Peg up or lay flat to dry.6 Finish
Theprintcantakeseveraldaystofullydevelop;
howevera finalwashin dilutedhydrogen
peroxidewilloxidisetheprintandrevealits
finalcolour.Youmaywishtophotographthe
printbeforethistakesplaceif youintend to use
it as part of a digital composition.Jo Stephen reveals her tricks to create the perfect cyanotype
© JO STEPHEN