How To Make Cyanotypes
The cyanotype process uses a mixture of iron compounds, which when exposed to UV light and washed in water oxidise to create Prussian Blue images. The technique was invented in 1841 by Sir JohnHerschel and was popularised by photographer and botanist Anna Atkins. Her book ‘Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions’, published in October 1843, is considered the first photographically illustrated book.
You will need: Ammonium Ferric Citrate Potassium Ferricyanide Water (distilled if possible) Paper Brush Measuring Graduate Scale 3 containers for mixing Gloves Scales
You can also buy pre-coated Parallax Cyanotype Paper in packs of 20 or 50 sheets of 8×10 paper. Or, try our Parallax Cyanotype Kit, it has pre-measured chemistry, paper, brush and gloves. Everything you need to make them yourself.
First off you need to measure 25g of Ferric Ammonium Citrate and add water to bring it up to 100 ml. Next, you measure 10g of Potassium Ferricyanide and mix that with water to make up to 100ml. Make sure both the chemicals are fully dissolved. Finally, under subdued light, mix the two solutions together. You are now ready to coat your paper.
