Cyanotype

The method was developed back in 1842 by Sir John Herschel, a British scientist. It was made famous by the British natural scientist Anna Atkins. She was looking for a detailed representation of plants and produced photograms of algae and plants. Anna Atkins published the first book illustrated with a photographic technique. In 1843, she exposed over 450 cyanotypes of various types of algae. The result was a comprehensive and fascinating work entitled “Photographs of British Algae”. The book is fascinating both visually and scientifically.

The technique has lost none of its appeal even today and is just as simple.

A solution of two components is mixed and then applied to the paper with a brush or sponge. The negative (digital negative) or objects are then placed on the paper and exposed to UV light. Subsequent development takes place in a water bath.