Blueprint to Cyanotypes - Exploring a Historical Alternative Photographic Process - Softcover

Malin Fabbri; Gary Fabbri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 141169838X ISBN 13: 9781411698383

Publisher: Lulu.com, 2006

Synopsis

The cyanotype is often the first alternative process that people try. Digital photography has given this historical process new life. Now you can create negatives in your computer and develop the prints in the sun, combining one of the earliest photographic techniques with the latest. The cyanotype process is a perfect compliment to today's digital photography, whether you are making creative prints or fine art. It gives experienced photographers and artists a great excuse to take their eyes off the computer screen and get their hands dirty. Blueprint to cyanotypes is all you need to get started with cyanotypes. It is full of information and tips. It is also inspiration to see samples of 19 artists currently working with cyanotypes. Blueprint to cyanotypes is published by AlternativePhotography.com - a website and information center for alternative photographic processes, dedicated to education and research.

About this title

From the Publisher

Blueprint to cyanotypes is all you will need to get started with cyanotypes. It offers the beginner a step-by-step guide, from choosing material to making the final print. It is full of information and tips. Even the experienced cyanotyper may learn a thing or two.

From the Author

From Malin Fabbri: Why a book on cyanotypes?
The cyanotype is often the first alternative process that people try. It's relatively easy and safe enough to nurture a child's interest in photography. It can be seen as a gateway to further exploration of historic photographic methods. In addition, it gives experienced photographers and artists a great excuse to take their eyes off of the computer screen and get their hands dirty. Of all the alternative processes the cyanotype is the one closest to my heart.

I made my first cyanotype in 1999. I was intrigued by the blue images and wanted to test the cyanotype process to see what it had to offer. I bought chemicals and spent an evening coating paper and cloth. The results of the next day's printing surprised me.

Although the alchemy of the darkroom had always captivated me, developing a print in the sun was like a liberation. One of the things I found most refreshing about the process was the unpredictability of the results. Some of my best prints were the product of 'happy accidents'.

The developing process is straightforward. The chemicals are cheap, and most of the other items used can be found around the house. Pre-coated paper is available, but one of the benefits of working with cyanotypes is the great flexibility of material and paper available to you. Cyanotypes print on anything made of natural fibre. Cotton, linen, silk, handmade paper, watercolor paper and rags are just number of alternatives. Some artists even print on wood.

So, if you want to explore a fun alternative photographic process or seriously want to experiment with producing unique fine art, make a cyanotype.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 141169838X
• ISBN 13: 9781411698383
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 68