Cyanotype Archives

Waxing Alternative Prints

Blog / Cyanotype / Salt Print

Waxing alternative prints to protect them is a critical step in my production process. I use archival quality paper and methods to make the prints last beyond a lifetime and the final step is just another layer of protection. There are two types of prints here, salt prints and cyanotypes. Let's talk about cyanotypes first. The deep blue colors of cyanotypes are from ferrous (iron) ions in a 2+ oxidation state. This "Prussian Blue" dye is caused by sunlight and the interesting thing is that if cyanotypes ever "fade" they can be regenerated by putting thin in the sun for…

Cyanotype Portrait

Blog / Cyanotype / Portrait

Cyanotype prints can also make compelling portraits! Blue is not the first color one would choose for humans and human skin - except maybe at an awesome cosplay convention! But in the palette of monochrome colors the blue of cyanotype can be most interesting. Here is a portrait of one of my favorite people in the entire world. She is beautiful inside and out and has so many layers of thoughts! Here is a close up - those eyes and expression hold a world of mystery! In Your Eyes I see the doorway to a thousand churches! Want to see…

New Cyanotypes

Blog / Cyanotype

New Cyanotypes! It was a fun day doing prints in my break time! There was lots of weather moving through Wisconsin yesterday and that made for light that constantly changed. This gave me a wide variety of exposures. I did try and compensate but not an easy thing to do. The good part is this ended up being an interesting batch of cyanotypes with 4 different looks. When you use the sun the sun has some say in the end result! I am not sure which one I like the best! The darker is nice but the lighter ones are…

Sand and Shells and Sun

Blog / Cyanotype

Footprint on the beach in Florida. A 10in x 14in cyanotype from a 35mm film negative. I have always loved the beach. Something about the sand and the ocean that touches me deeply. I always get the nostalgic feeling when I am on the water. That last days of Summer feeling. Hard to describe but if you know it you know it. This print is from a 35mm film picture (black and white) that I took on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida. Footprint supplied by my beautiful wife. I think the graininess of the film is a good complement…