Early Photographic Processes

Cyanotype

From 1842

 Most popular around 1900

Discovery

The cyanotype process was developed by Sir John Herschel in 1842.

Herschel undertook many early experiments in photography.  He and Talbot corresponded regularly.

The calotype process became more popular around 1900.  Photographers sometimes used it as a means of getting a quick initial print or 'blueprint' of their work, perhaps making it in a hotel bedroom on location, before returning to their studio to make their final print.

There are still a few keen amateur photographers producing cyanotype prints today [2003].

Process

1.  Paper is brushed with solutions of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide and dried in the dark

2.  A negative is placed on the paper in direct sunlight for about 15 minutes.  The parts exposed to light turn light blue and the other parts remain white.

3.  The paper is then washed in water and the white parts turn a cyan (deep blue) colour.

Result

Images produced by the cyanotype process are stable and bright blue with a matte surface.

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A variant of this is the process was used to create architectural blueprints.

In Edinburgh 

Today

In December 2003, members of the Scottish Society for the History of Photography visited Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, Scotland, and saw some experiments that had been carried out in early photographic processes by Norma Thallon, Artist in Residence, including the cyanotype print below:

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Eduardo Aites of Seattle, Washington USA has created a web site giving technical advice on early photographic processes, including cyanotype, one of the processes that he uses.