The Cyanotype – Printing & Its Process (Health and Safety)

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AC 1.1: Identify the characteristics of digital imaging and printing. ( This can also be seen in my blog post: (P2 : TASK 3 Studio Practice (Fine Prints) under site: https://wordpress.com/post/nceflevel2photographyprojects.wordpress.com/1000 )

Digital Imaging and Printing: The Cyanotype Process & What is Cyanotype printing?

Cyanotype – is often known as a photographic printing process that produces a cyan – blue print. Cyanotype printing first originated in the 1840’s – and was used as a copying technique, often referred to the term “blueprint.”

Cyanotype was first used by engineers in the 20th Centuries – which was often referred to a low-cost process to produce copies of drawings.

Examples of Blue – Prints

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Step 1: Preparing your photos  – in Photoshop

• Black and white the image
• Bring up the right bar line at the top and drop the left-hand side bar down – which then automatically turns into a negative images.
• Save > Print > Using the negative paper > transparency paper to print.

Step 2: How to set up – Cyanotype process & Method (Painting)

There are 2 main chemicals (solutions – we mix together:

Step 1: Mixing the ingredients:

1. Potassium Ferricyanide (is often used as an ‘oxidizing agent’ to remove any sliver from colour negatives – also called bleaching. This solution is best used with the solution below in order to brighten the highlights in prints
2. Ferric Ammonium Citrate 100g (Yellow- Brown ish colour which is used to mix with Potassium Ferricyanide in producing blueprints – Note – Health and safety hazard – threat to the environment, always ensure protection safety and environmental safety.

• Gloves and Mask (Required to prevent stains on clothing and hand & protect in haling.)
• Measurements   – one for each solution – measured (mixing each induvial solution, and the together in one whole mixing jug.)
• Equipment required: Bucket, paint brushes, trays, water colour papers.  – Using a bucket pour in the mixed chemicals.
• Paint water colour paper in to a fine – neat green brushed -different painting style – and let them for a few hours to dry.
• Preparing your images to print: First step it to prepare your images on Photoshop.

Step 3 : Printing – Negatives: In the class I had selected 3 images: A photo of a building inside design black and white, a photograph of a bridge and had used a leaf (which was kindly given to me to borrow. The tutor and the fellow class members placed under negative prints in the) Nanopoisistion Device (Negative printer.)

For at least 15 /  20 mins (The negative prints were used on the dried brushed papers (water colour paper)– placing the negative images on the paper & a fabric cloth under the printer for a few mins.)

Step 4: Washing away the blue colour

Preparing the prints into a tray > using cold water and washing away and yellow and blue colouring > wash away until the blue colour has been completely washed. You are than left with a fine art blue cyano – print in blue. Please see below image that was produced/ printed.

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What is the benefit of Cyanotype printing?

Annie Lopez – was one of the contemporary peers who has used this style of printing – She has been turning to a 174-year-old photographic printing process ‘Cyanotype.’ Lopez created dress patterns, wrapping paper all over with Cyanotypes. This type of printing requires a negative image. There are many artists and photographers that even up to this age use this type of printing for fashion, clothing. It has its benefits – for creating pattern and for its distinctive colour mark – blue. Anna Atkins was also one of the widely considered female photographer who has used this process of printing. Atkins was recognised for book – Cyanotypes of British Age.

(Learning Outcome 3 (LO3)) Understand photographic practice and health and safety procedures.)

Healthy and Safety Rules – Cyanoprinting. (Learning Outcome 3 (LO3))

• (Dealing with Potassium Ferricyanide + Ferric Ammonium Citrate) When dealing with the above 2 chemicals, alongside the process of cyanotype printing – it always important to:
• Wear appropriate clothing, i.e. glove, masks (if any health issues ie. Asama) and tie all hair back and wear appropriate footwear.
• Potassium Ferricyanide – (main hazard safety – always keep away from eyes, and skin as it could become irritated.
• When using the above 2 solutions and setting up cyanotype printing   – ensure the work top/space is clear as this could lead to a ‘tripping or spilling’ hazard.
• Ensure all wires, electronics are kept away from the work space
• Always – lay newspaper to the flat surface/ works space stops the (green paint used on water colour paper from spreading on the work top surfaces.
• When using the printer – ask for support (heavy lifting and be careful could be over heated.)

Printing – Summary: I really enjoyed learning about the different types of printing and its processing methods. I have been thoroughly able to analyse the usage and benefits of the different types of fine art printing in photography.

German Etching & Fine Art Hahnemule: single coated – natural white paper – holds the line of the ink – almost as a delusion of 3D looking print.

Rag Printing: Most popularly chosen printing by photographers to create high quality prints. This fine art print holds a smooth surface.

Pearl & Lust: Satin type finish with a textured feel. These two types of prints sits between glossy and matt.

Cyanotype:– blue printing: for materials, clothing etc