Cyanotype is a photographic printing method that produces prints with a distinctive Prussian-blue colour.

The process was developed in 1842 by the scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel, who employed it to reproduce notes and diagrams  (the technology would be widely used in architecture and engineering until the mid-20th century, hence the term “blueprint”).

The first to adopt this technique in photography was botanist and photographer Anna Atkins. She published a volume of algae cyanotypes that is considered to be the first ever book with photographic images.

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PROJECTS

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Gathering plant materials and natural elements to use

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Making prints on paper and pebbles

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Experimenting with wet cyanotypes where you add

soap bubbles, citric acid, turmeric, salt crystals for example

to create interesting effects.

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Creating cards and bookmarks from the prints

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Maximum 6 in the class. All materials provided. £80

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