PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

Typically, cyanotypes are blue, Sire John Hershel discovered the process in 1842, and they were used to make copies of drawings by engineers. 

I had made cyanotypes before, (sometimes called sun prints), you can buy a pack of photo sensitive paper or buy and the mix the chemicals. With your own mix, you can brush the light sensitive chemicals onto any type of paper or even fabric. I noticed there were kits that had different colors, Green Black, Red Black, and Blue Pink. I went with a pack of green pre-made sheets to see what would happen.

Once you have your objects ready, you set them out on the paper under bright sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse the paper under cold water until the water runs clear and then leave the paper dry. I put them on a newspaper, and weight it down with books the paper will dry flat.

I wanted to make a series of original art using natural materials collected from elsewhere and found in the garden. For a simple process a lot can go wrong as everything is somewhat approximate, and many wonderful imperfections happen along the way. What is also wonderful, is the print itself. It is a unique piece of process photography – only one. The paper nicks, scratches, and blotches, etc., all adding to the effect.

Forget PDFs, bring back process copies! Although everything would take a really long time and you would hope for bright sunny days as well. Greenotypes, or perhaps Verdeotype is better for this series.

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