The Adventures of Creating a Cyanotype

When I was introduced to the idea of a blue photograph which is developed by the sun, my mind was immediately triggered. I thought this is amazing. So I started on a mission to find a good picture to use for such a unique process. I couldn't make up my mind. I ended up choosing two photos I took on a trip to Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on Nov 25th. The first one was of a antique Harley Davidson headlight and the other of my classmates in Graffiti Alley.

Inverted Image Used on Cyanotype

Once I had the photos selected, I was able to start the process of developing a cyanotype. I started by mixing equal parts Ammonium Iron Citrate and Potassium Ferricyanide. When the solution was mixed, I used a paint brush to spread the liquid over the sheets of watercolour paper. (This ends up looking bright green.)

While waiting for the solution to dry, I scanned my original photographs, which I developed in the dark room, and on the computer inverted the colours to create a negative from the positives.

After waiting 20-40 minutes to allow the cyanotype fluid to dry, I was
able to place my acetates on top.  These to sheets get sandwiched by two plexiglass.

Inverted Image Used on Cyanotype

Now it was ready to expose! Unfortunately I did not have very good weather the first time I tried this, so the image did not appear, even though I left it to be exposed for a very long time. So I tried again the next day. Same weather, same results. And same the following day. By the fourth time trying I found this to be very irritating and wondering why I am putting myself through this. But I continued. The weather was great that day! Nice and sunny. The cyanotypes came out quite beautiful but I was still not content with the end result as they started to fade quickly.

With decent results I told myself, try it one more time. The next day was the same beautiful weather so I did the process all over again. The results were amazing this day! This is what the final result was for each of them:

Canon 35mm Film Camera

Canon 35mm Film Camera 

I think that there was one cliche line that was really proven to me the week that I spent working on this medium. "With persistence comes great results". There were points where I was looking down the list thinking of the other mediums I could select, to replace this medium. But I am glad I continued through with it, and now it is one of my favourite processes!