| The process of creating photographs in blue print is | | | | then kept for drying in a dark room. A stunning |
| known as cyanotype. Usually photographs are set in | | | | cyanotype emerges on the surface after drying. |
| silver like the black and white photos. Cyanotype uses | | | | Chemical reaction |
| a few chemicals and the sun to print pictures on any | | | | The UV light reduces iron (III) to iron (II). Then there is a |
| surface. During the process the paper or fabric or the | | | | complex reaction of iron (II) with ferricyanide. This |
| printing medium is treated with chemicals. Cyanotype | | | | results in the formation of an insoluble blue dye called |
| chemicals include Potassium ferricyanide and | | | | ferric ferrocyanide or in simple words Prussian blue. |
| Ammonium iron (III) citrate. | | | | What actually happens is that the iron is reduced in the |
| Cyanotype procedure | | | | areas on exposure to sunlight. So the paper turns into |
| The procedure of cyanotype printing is simple and | | | | a blue or a steel grey color. The color change depends |
| easy. There are a few steps involved in it. The | | | | on the strength of the UV light. Normally within ten to |
| cyanotype chemicals - Potassium ferricyanide and | | | | twenty minutes you can see good results on a bright |
| Ammonium iron (III) citrate are turned into solutions | | | | sunny day. After exposure the picture is rinsed off in |
| separately. They are mixed with water and then | | | | running water that washes off the chemicals. |
| blended in equal parts. Cyanotype printing can be done | | | | Cyanotype Chemicalchemicals are also available in the |
| on any surface that is capable of soaking the solutions. | | | | form of pre-mixed solutions. They come in the form of |
| Cyanotypes are created on paper, fabric, leather, | | | | a kit of two solutions and are quite reasonable. There |
| ceramic, wood and so on. | | | | are various companies that supply them over the |
| The only criterion is that the surface used for printing | | | | internet. You must be very careful while handling |
| should be able to soak the cyanotype chemical | | | | cyanotype chemicals. After all they are nothing but |
| solutions. The surface is first sensitized using the | | | | chemicals. Tips on handling cyanotype chemical: |
| cyanotype chemical. Any image clicked using a digital | | | | * Take extra care to keep away from children or pets. |
| or a regular camera can be used for printing | | | | * Use rubber gloves to handle the chemicals. |
| cyanotype photos. Even elements like leaves, lace and | | | | * Try not to get it on your clothes. |
| so on can be placed on the fabric or paper to create | | | | You need to take equal parts of both the solutions and |
| photos. The image is turned into a negative that is | | | | blend them using a measuring cup. It is very important |
| placed on the surface for printing. | | | | to measure them well because if the proportions differ |
| Then by exposing it to sunlight or any UV light a | | | | there could be a wrong reaction. Thus the cyanotype |
| cyanotype is formed due to the chemical reaction. The | | | | chemicals are the most important part of the process |
| surface is then washed and rinsed very well in water. | | | | of printing cyanotype photos. It is actually the chemical |
| Adding about 3% of Hydrogen Peroxide to water | | | | reaction that creates beautiful images. |
| helps in getting a beautiful blue shade on the print. It is | | | | |