Loading Paper in Contact Cyanotype Printer

Series Summary

Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that makes blue colored prints. Developed by English scientist and astronomer, Sir John Herschel in 1842, chemicals are used to make prints of almost anything you can imagine. Whether they are flowers, algae, or leaves, these beautiful Prussian blue prints have become a favorite of photographer lovers everywhere. Using ammonium iron III and potassium ferricyanide, prints are exposed by the UV light of the sun. Then, by flushing flowing water over the prints, they are developed. If you are interested in taking up cyanotype, watch this free video series. Our expert, Anthony Maddaloni, shows you the basic things you need to get started. Learn how to pick print paper for cyanotype. Also, get tips for using and storing chemicals. Anthony shows you how to expose and develop your prints, and he even gives you tips for double prints. Learn how to use a UV light box if you don't have sun. Also, get tips for using objects around the house for cyanotype negatives. So, pick a new hobby, and learn about cyanotype prints today!

Video Transcript

"I'm holding in my hand, a sheet of Arch's water color paper, that I actually coded. I coded it last night, and I let it dry sufficiently. Now, remember when you're doing this process, you really want to make sure that your paper is dry. Because you don't want to put a negative that you may treasure on a piece of wet paper. Because you're negative is going get, your negative is going to go away. It's going to just never going to be the same again. And you know the first time you do it, and you might do it, you'll learn to never do it again. So, what I'm telling you right now, don't put your negative on a wet piece of paper. So, here's my negative, cut down negative from a four by five, nicely exposed image. Important to have an image that is very nicely exposed. I'm going to take it, and I'm going to put it emulsion side to emulsion side, easy, right on top of there. Now, I'm going to flip it, and this is my contact printer. And I get my piece of foam to hold it in place, and then, I have a winner. I'm going to get ready to expose this outside."