Cyanotype Photography

1. Sun Printing
Cyanotype Impressions

2. 1. Photographic print
made by placing
objects onto light
sensitive paper.
2. No camera used!
What is a photogram?

4. • It wasn’t until the MODERNIST MOVEMENT in the 20th
Century that they became artwork!
• Also known as Rayogram because he claims he
discovered the process

6. So….you can lay objects on light
sensitive paper & make a “copy”.

7. Then what is a Cyanotype Photo ?
• Paper is coated with an
Iron Salt solution
(potassium ferricyanide)
and Ammonium Citrate
• An object is fixed on this
paper (Surface Negative)
under glass

8. Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Flower
Plants and Ferns (1854)
2. Cyanotype also
known as Blue Print
2. Anna Atkins also
called her work
shadowgraphs
Horse Tail

9. Anna Atkins(1799-1871)
• First woman photographer.
• She became interested in
Making accurate drawings
of plant life, and used
Photography and the
Cyanotype process as her
tools.

10. 4. Cyanotypes are Monochromatic
Mono = 1 Chromatic = color

11. How does a Photogram &
Cyanotype work?
5. When exposed to sun light a chemical reaction occurs.
- The paper is washed and removes the exposed
chemical area

12. • This results in a
white image on a
deep blue
background
• This image is the
“positive” or outline
of the object used.

13. The pictures should depict
both of the ‘Opposites’
•hot and cold
•old and new
•tall and short
•big and small
•weak and strong
•happy and sad
•ETC.
PROJECT: Create 2 Cyanotypes
Opposites Theme

14. More Opposite EXAMPLES
• Keep in mind that
you will be creating
cyanotypes from
your photos.
Rough & Smooth: cheese & sponge

15. More Opposites EXAMPLES

16. • Remember you are changing it to Grayscale
then inverting to make negative.
1. ORIGINAL 2. GRAYSCALE
3. INVERTED FOR NEGATIVE 4. CYANOTYPE

17. Opposites Cont.

18. • We are using photoshop to create the
negative on transparency paper…so you can
overlay or experiment with “opposites”

19. Cyanotypes - Opposites

20. Cyanotype examples

23. Remember…You can combine photogram
(actual object) with your negative!

24. Combine your photo with
drawing?
• Around border
• Adding to your photo

25. How to make cyanotypes with photo
negatives not just objects!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0ATpHCyYvU&nohtml5=False
-Start at 4minutes

26. Reminder! Due on: Wednesday (P.1)
Thursday (P.2)
6 photographs exploring Opposites theme
•-3 with strong/dominant negative space
•-3 with strong/dominant positive space

27. Next class – Photograms
Warm Up #8
• You will be making
a photogram as a
group with objects
tomorrow!

28. GROUP PHOTOGRAMS: Warm Up #8
• Create 2
photograms total
• 1 with dominant
positive space and
• 1 with dominant
negative space.
Bring any materials from home too!

29. SO TODAY…. Find outside
• 4 found objects
• Look for
-Geometric Shapes
-Interesting shapes
-Strong bold lines
• Place in zip lock bags
- Write group# on it.
END OF DAY 1

30. First 5 minutes
1.Create Pinterest Board – Photograms
2. Pin 10 or more Photograms you find interesting.
3. You can share any discoveries with classmates!
4. Finish early? Search for “Sunprints”.
-Pin any findings

31. GROUP PHOTOGRAMS: Warm Up #8
• Create 2
photograms total
• 1 with dominant
positive space
• 1 with dominant
negative space.

32. Positive Space (Fill in note sheet)
• Positive Space = The occupied space.
The actual object.
TREE
GROUND

33. Negative Space
• Negative Space = The space surrounding the
objects. The unoccupied space.
- All the white space
around the tree
- Even the small
white areas
between the
branches.

34. Label the Positive & Negative Space
NEGATIVE space
POSITIVE space
-You have 1 minute to label. Work with your group members!

35. Understanding Positive vs. Negative
Space
Does this photo
have more
negative or
positive space?
NEGATIVE SPACE: The sky
POSITIVE SPACE: the light
That’s right, More NEGATIVE space!

36. Understanding Positive vs. Negative
Space
Does this photo
have more
negative or
positive space?
NEGATIVE SPACE:
blank space in background
POSITIVE SPACE: the flower
That’s right, More Positive space!

37. More positive or negative?
NEGATIVE

38. How does a Photogram work?
• When exposed to sun light a chemical reaction
occurs.
• The paper is washed and removes the exposed
chemical area

39. •This image is the
“positive” or
outline of the
object used.
This results is a white image on a
blue background

40. You can buy paper that is already
light sensitive.
This is the type of paper we are using.

41. STEPS (on project note sheet)
1. Arrange your objects on the paper
2. Place glass over paper and objects
3. Place paper over glass before going outside
-paper is sunlight sensitive!

42. 4. Expose to sunlight
Timing: Depends on amount of sunlight
– Cloudy (2-3 minutes)
– Partly cloudy (1-2 minutes)
– Full sun (1 minute – 30 seconds)
5. Cover up print and take back inside.

43. 6. Wash in water tray for 1 minute
-Use peroxide solution or not (your choice)
7.Lay to dry on newspaper & blot off excess
water with towel
Let’s watch before I demo it ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBHIuYmPXYs
*Photogram at 27 sec.

44. GROUP PHOTOGRAMS: Warm Up #8
• Create 2 photograms
• You have 5 pieces of paper
• If 1 print doesn’t turn out, try it again!
1. Dominant positive space 2. Dominant negative space

45. Let’s take 5 minutes –
Dominant Positive Space
• As a group, get your bag of objects.
• Arrange objects on paper
1. Dominant positive space

46. Start Negative Space
or Try Positive again if print didn’t turn out.
2. Dominant negative space

47. When done, complete Blog #9
Photogram Process and Product Reflection
1. How did your group decide which objects to create the
photograms with?
2. Describe how your photograms illustrate dominant
positive space and negative space?
3. If you had to choose one photogram that was the
strongest which one would it be and why?
*See blogs page on class
website for questions

48. Photograph your 2 best Photograms
1. Include 2 photogram images on blog
2. Post 2 images to your Warm Ups page on
your website. (Warm Up #8)

49. Reminder - Due Dates:
Wednesday (P.1) Thursday (P.2)
6 photographs exploring Opposites theme
•3 with strong/dominant negative space
•3 with strong/dominant positive space

50. Pinterest
Opposites Photography
• Start opposites photography board
• 10 or more pins
• Google search “opposites photography art”