Cyanotype is a kind of printing process that results in cyan-blue prints. This method was popular during in the engineering industry up until the twentieth century. Cyanotype printing is well-liked for its simplicity and low cost. It provides large-scale prints that are called blueprints. Potassium ferricyanide and ammonium iron III citrate are the two main chemicals that are used in this process.
Sir John Herschel was an English scientist and astronomer who is given credit for first discovering this printing technique in the early 1840s. Although he developed this method, he primarily used it for the reproduction of notes and diagrams, such as blueprints. Anna Atkins is the individual who brought this technique into the world of photography.
In fact, she also produced a series of Cyanotype books. In these limited-edition books, Atkins documented plant life, using a variety of subjects. She placed the specimens on coated paper, which created a silhouette effect. Through her use of this photograph method, Atkins is known as a pioneer for female photographers.
In the typical Cyanotype method, equal parts of potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate are combined. The solution that is creative is partly photosensitive. It is then applied to paper, cloth or other surfaces that are receptive and allowed time to dry in the dark. Cyanotypes can be printed on all surfaces that allow the iron solution to soak in, including cotton, wool and watercolor paper.
Exposing the print to UV light, via a contact negative, is what produces the positive images. The ultraviolet light works by reducing the iron at level III to level II. This is then followed by a reaction of the iron II to the ferricyanide in the solution. The final result is known as a Prussian blue. Exposure to UV, such as sunlight, lowers the level of iron and in turn, changes the color of paper to a blue-light, steel-gray shade. The degree of color change is relevant to the total UV light.
Once exposure is done, the picture must be developed by rinsing the unreacted solution with running water. The blue color is expected to darken up as it becomes dry. Usually, the desired result of a Cyanotype is a blue color. Still, many different effects may be applied with this kind of printing, such as: reducing, intensifying and toning.
Reducing includes lowering the color of blue. This can be done using reagents, such as Dektol, ammonia, Clorox, borax, carbonate. It is important that the print is taken from the weak solution and put in a water bath so that it stops processing during reducing. Intensifying includes strengthening the color of blue. To initiate oxidation of prints, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid of lemon juice may be used. Toning involves changing the color of iron. This color change will differ based on the reagent that is employed, such as cat urine, wine, pyrogallic acid, Tannic acid or oolong tea.
Cyanotype printing has been around since the 1800s. The process utilized ammonium iron III citrate and potassium ferricyanide, among other chemicals, to create blueprints. There are an assortment of variations that can be made to these prints. The first female photographer, Anna Atkins, introduced this technique in photography printing.
Sir John Herschel was an English scientist and astronomer who is given credit for first discovering this printing technique in the early 1840s. Although he developed this method, he primarily used it for the reproduction of notes and diagrams, such as blueprints. Anna Atkins is the individual who brought this technique into the world of photography.
In fact, she also produced a series of Cyanotype books. In these limited-edition books, Atkins documented plant life, using a variety of subjects. She placed the specimens on coated paper, which created a silhouette effect. Through her use of this photograph method, Atkins is known as a pioneer for female photographers.
In the typical Cyanotype method, equal parts of potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate are combined. The solution that is creative is partly photosensitive. It is then applied to paper, cloth or other surfaces that are receptive and allowed time to dry in the dark. Cyanotypes can be printed on all surfaces that allow the iron solution to soak in, including cotton, wool and watercolor paper.
Exposing the print to UV light, via a contact negative, is what produces the positive images. The ultraviolet light works by reducing the iron at level III to level II. This is then followed by a reaction of the iron II to the ferricyanide in the solution. The final result is known as a Prussian blue. Exposure to UV, such as sunlight, lowers the level of iron and in turn, changes the color of paper to a blue-light, steel-gray shade. The degree of color change is relevant to the total UV light.
Once exposure is done, the picture must be developed by rinsing the unreacted solution with running water. The blue color is expected to darken up as it becomes dry. Usually, the desired result of a Cyanotype is a blue color. Still, many different effects may be applied with this kind of printing, such as: reducing, intensifying and toning.
Reducing includes lowering the color of blue. This can be done using reagents, such as Dektol, ammonia, Clorox, borax, carbonate. It is important that the print is taken from the weak solution and put in a water bath so that it stops processing during reducing. Intensifying includes strengthening the color of blue. To initiate oxidation of prints, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid of lemon juice may be used. Toning involves changing the color of iron. This color change will differ based on the reagent that is employed, such as cat urine, wine, pyrogallic acid, Tannic acid or oolong tea.
Cyanotype printing has been around since the 1800s. The process utilized ammonium iron III citrate and potassium ferricyanide, among other chemicals, to create blueprints. There are an assortment of variations that can be made to these prints. The first female photographer, Anna Atkins, introduced this technique in photography printing.
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