cyanotype
Sun-printed blue image
A cyanotype is a photographic printing process that produces distinctive blue-and-white images.
The process uses iron compounds that turn deep Prussian blue when exposed to ultraviolet light, typically sunlight.
Cyanotypes were historically used for reproducing architectural and engineering drawings—the original blueprints.
The technique remains popular among artists and photographers for its handmade aesthetic: She made cyanotype prints of pressed ferns.
Detailed technical drawing
- exposureState of being unprotected
- UVInvisible solar radiation
- sensitizerSubstance increasing response
- coatingApplied surface covering
washing · developing · negative · transparency · emulsion · drying · fixing · oxidation
Single-color rendering
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- botanicalRelated to plants
- photogramLensless exposure print
- contrastNotable difference between things
tonal · fern · lace · shadow · delicate · ethereal · vintage · antique
Pressed pulp for writing
- fabricWoven or knit material
- cottonPlant fiber for textiles
- canvasHeavy woven cloth
- woodTree-derived building material
glass · ceramic · natural-fiber · sizing · absorbent · textile · linen
Lensless exposure print
A specific year
- VictorianOf a prim era
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- historicalOf documented times
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
blueprint
Detailed technical drawing
- exposureState of being unprotected
- UVInvisible solar radiation
- sensitizerSubstance increasing response
coating · washing · developing · negative · transparency · emulsion · drying · fixing · oxidation · toning
monochrome
Single-color rendering
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
- botanicalRelated to plants
- photogramLensless exposure print
contrast · tonal · fern · lace · shadow · delicate · ethereal · vintage · antique · archival
paper
Pressed pulp for writing
wood · glass · ceramic · natural-fiber · sizing · absorbent · textile · linen
photogram
Lensless exposure print
1842
A specific year
- VictorianOf a prim era
- algaePrimitive aquatic photosynthesizers
- historicalOf documented times
- photographycamera, photo, flash, lens, shooting
- analog techniquesfilm photography, vinyl records, tape recording, hand lettering, calligraphy
- light-sensitivephotoreceptor, photoreceptors, photocells, photodiodes, photodiode
- photosensitive materialsphotographic film, photographic paper, photographic plate, photo emulsion, photo paper
- Victorian photographstintype, daguerreotype, ferrotype, Victorian portrait, studio portrait
- photogramsphotogram, shadowgraph, sun print, direct exposure
cyanotypedaguerreotype
First commercial photography method
collodion process · platinum print · tintype · digital photography