{"id":9896,"date":"2024-07-08T10:39:45","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T10:39:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/?p=9896"},"modified":"2024-07-09T11:14:17","modified_gmt":"2024-07-09T11:14:17","slug":"cyanotype-prints-an-easy-photography-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparentsocial.com\/cyanotype-prints-an-easy-photography-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyanotype Prints: An Easy Photography Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cyanotype photography<\/a> is a simple and fun camera-less technique for creating wonderfully striking prints. It requires UV light so is a perfect activity to do in spring or summer on a sunny day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyanotype photography <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My daughter Sofia is doing art GCSE and is always exploring different mediums. We were introduced to cyanotype photography by my uncle who uses this technique – amongst others – to create wonderful art works<\/a>. It involves laying an object on cyanotype paper<\/a> (paper pre-coated with an iron salt solution, which is pretty cheap to buy), before exposing it to UV light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 easy steps to creating cyanotype masterpieces <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Step one <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Head outside and collect any interesting things you find. We’ve so far stuck with flowers and leaves that have eye-catching shapes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step two <\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Cyanotype\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Indoors away from direct sunlight, remove your cyanotype paper and arrange the object\/s on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step three <\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Cyanotype\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Place a plate of glass carefully over the top. We used the glass out of an old picture frame. You don’t have to do this but it flattens the object for a crisper end result and helps prevent movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step four <\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Cyanotype\"
The paper turns blue as it exposes <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Leave in sunlight for three-to-five minutes on a clear sunny day and up to 20 minutes if it’s overcast. When the paper turns a mid-to-dark blue it’s ready. It is not an exact science and we’ve had a couple that are slightly over- or under-exposed. Experimentation is the name of the game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step five <\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Remove the object\/s and rinse under the tap for several minutes to remove all of the chemicals. The print will become darker. Then just leave to dry. Easy! <\/p>\n\n\n\n


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Cyanotype prints <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A few of Sofia’s efforts below. As you can see, these have had different exposure times. It’s fun creating different effects and there isn’t really a right or wrong. Enjoy the process! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to experiment further, you can coat your own paper, card or even material with a cyanotype chemical mix<\/a>. This is next on the to do list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n