Topic: My First 8" Cyanotypes

[formica]

I finally got around to getting glass(or in my case plexiglass) for doing larger cyanotypes. below are my first two done in the 8" size or thereabouts.  i'm liking the larger sizes for these - on the computer i'm not sure it makes much of a difference though(assuming i haven't messed up the file sizes and these end up huge or tiny).

                    william

[Sorry, image deleted during forum software upgrade. Please re-upload if so inclined.]

[edthened]

Och ther nae bad at aw   

[gothamtomato]

I love the look of cyanotypes, but I tried doing them once and got VERY sick from the chemicals.

[Half Moons]

I like the prints, particularly the first.  I've been really interested in trying cyanotype for a while now, but I haven't had the time/space/resources to do it.  Are there any good general tips you could give for someone for their first time?  I've read guides, but its always good to talk to someone with firsthand experience.

[formica]

thanks ed.

gothamtomato - how'd you get sick? was it from the mixing the chemistry, applying to paper or something else?

half moons - i feel very much like a newbie myself. following the guides should probably give you most of the info you need. i will say double coating does give you a much deeper blue. i've read somewhere people talking about how the paper will go bad if not used fairly quickly, but i've not found that to be the case if you don't expose it accidentally to too much uv. doing an exposure test to determine your exposure times is a good idea. i had problems when i first tried them because the light where i am is very strong and required a much shorter exposure time than other places in the world.

           william

[gothamtomato]

It was the chemicals, I think from the mixing. The facility I was in had ventilation, but either not enough or I'm just sensitive to the chemicals.

[Heather]

Odd about the reaction to the chemicals.

One big tip I can give is never stop testing and finding new papers. They're always changing so you have to be prepared to find new ones when ones that previously worked fine suddenly stop working due to a change in production.

[Karl]

I'm staring at some of my first efforts which are currently lined up across the fireplace. I am using objects rather than negatives. Will try and post something soon. I have to say the mixing and coating process is quite easy going, therapeutic, and can be done in subdued daylight. Check out

www.alternativephotography.com

all you need to know to get you started. Some helpful tips...?

cover all surfaces with newspaper
buy electronic kitchen scale - Salter 1036 disc electronic scale, amazon, 12 pounds
paper cupcake cases make nice lightweight bowls for measuring chemicals
use one hake brush solely for cyanotype coating
accept failure in advance and rejoice in it when it works out well!

[Heather]

Oh oh I remembered another good tip which means you can stop covering everything in newspaper

Learn how to do a "wash" in watercolours first. It'll help greatly in the long run if you're brush coating. You'll learn how to judge when there's just enough, not enough, or too much paint (or sensitiser) in the brush. You'll learn how to put down a very neat and even coating. And you won't be wasting sensitiser if you're experimenting and learning with watercolours.