CYANOTYPE

Cyanotype photography is a camera-less technique that involves laying an object on paper coated with a solution of iron salts before exposing it to UV light and washing with water to create stunning white and Prussian blue images.

Sir John Herschel: The inventor of cyanotypes

Sir John Herschel began by experimenting with sun prints (or photograms). These were one of the earliest forms of photography and involved laying an object on chemically-treated paper before exposing it to a light source. Later, in 1842, he used paper coated with a solution of iron salts, sun exposure and a water wash to create the very first cyanotype – a white image on a deep blue background. This method proved to be easier, cheaper, and more durable than the previous silver-based method. It may not look like the type of photography that we are used to, but Herschel was able to use cyanotype printing to make copies of his notes and diagrams.

I use my photographic images and also seaweeds I gather around the Cornish coast which I press and dry before using and plants from my garden and hedgerows. I do prefer to use the Cornish sunshine for my UV light source but also have a UV lamp for use in the winter low light months.

Weeds of the Sea

Weeds of the SeaOngoing project of gathering seaweed that has been washed ashore the Cornish coast, hand pressed and dried before using the ancient cyanotype process of photography onto handmade paper.

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