Cyanotype

Introduction: Cyanotype Photography is the production of a picture onto a piece of cloth or paper using sunlight, Prussian blue, aqueous ferric ammonium citrate and aqueous potassium ferricyanide. The chemicals are mixed and applied to the surface, which is then allowed to dry. A picture can be put on the cloth or paper with glass on top and taken out in the sun. The sun will change the cloths color from the whitish green of the chemicals to a dark blue to grey.

Joe on the roof with his cloth Procedure: In a dark room (little to no light) mix 20mL of aqueous ferric ammonium citrate and 20mL of aqueous potassium ferricyanide together in a 250mL beaker. Mix. Brush the solution onto the cloth or paper. Do not over soak the surface but make sure that it is covered with the solution. After the surface has been covered, dry the cloth with a hair dryer on low setting. Once the cloth is dry then put it on a piece of clean foam, place the picture where you want it, place the piece of glass on top and clip all pieces together with binder clips. From here head outside (Sunglasses might be a good idea after being in the dark room). Let it stay in the sun until the cloth has turned bluish-grey or around 5-15 min. After the change has occured then you can go back and take apart the set-up. Wash the cloth in deionized water a few times to get all the chemicals out and to get the remaining dye out. From here just let it dry.

The cloth is changing as we speak Another set is changing Ringing out the deionized water

Tips: ALWAYS WEAR YOUR GLOVES!! The chemicals that we are using will stain clothing and the skin. Cut out the foam before starting so that it is easier to find in the dark room when you are ready for it. The pictures are best if there is a big contrast between the black and the light regions. The thicker the object is the better it will show up on the cloth; stencils work well. You can use money or other items for this, it does not have to be a tranparency, as long as it is a flat object.

Here are the finished products:

A native american bird A wagon scene A celtic cross A squirrel and a name

This page was created by Cadet Joe Moore on 3/1/05 (modified 3/9/05)