World Cyanotype Day is approaching: to paraphrase Tennyson “ah, late summer, when a woman’s fancy turns to cyanotypes!” Around August each year, I feel the lure of blue calling to me, and I brave the ridiculous Texas heat and humidity to make yet another crop of prints.
I first learned about making cyanotypes in 2015, although even before that they had snuck into my life via my (then) young daughter’s birthday in the form of a “sun print” kit. While I thought they were interesting, I wasn’t instantly hooked; it took my playing around with the process a little bit. Once I realize what I could do with them, however, cyanotypes became a major part of my creative life.
Wildflower photogram (cyanotype by Amy Jasek)
A few years ago, Richard PJ Lambert wrote an excellent article for us going into the details of the process and showing how you can make them at home under any conditions using a UV lamp. Take a look at his piece here.
Cyanotype by Richard PJ Lambert
With no lack of sunshine where I live, the above phone snapshots (examples from a workshop I had a few years ago in my backyard) show my usual setup, except when it’s just me and I’m just making a couple at a time, I wash them in my kitchen sink.
Cyanotype contact print of 8x10 negative
The process is incredibly versatile: I’ve cyanotyped everything from photograms of flowers on fabric and paper, to large format negatives, to shirts, skirts, and shoes. Some artists cyanotype on bone, on wood, on glass. Since you can cyanotype just about anything, this means that you can make all kinds of interesting items out of the prints themselves. Check out this book made by Barbara Justice, who also leads workshops.
Handmade cyanotype book with pockets
This year at the Instant Film Society’s PolaCon in Denton, TX, Jen Brimmage will be leading a cyanotype workshop, and I’ll be there too to talk about World Cyanotype Day and (hopefully!) help make a big community cyanotype.
Cyanotype by Jen Brimmage
Wet Cyanotype by Barbara Murray
Barbara Murray shares her alt process work, including cyanotypes, on a dedicated instagram.
Cyanotype by Gabi Roozee
Gabi Roozee is another FSC member who makes cyanotypes.
So - are you ready? Are you inspired? World Cyanotype Day is the last Saturday of September every year. You are welcome to enter! Be sure to check out World Cyanotype Day’s website, instagram, and facebook group, where you can find details for entry. Also check out Alternative Photography’s website for loads of great info, and how to enter their celebration.
And, last but not least, SEND US YOUR CYANOTYPES! I’ll be curating a special photostream of your submissions: you can send in one here. Send us any cyanotype, it doesn’t have to conform to this year’s World Cyanotype Day theme. The deadline for our entry is September 11.