Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: need info re: cyanotype contact printing

  1. #1

    need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    I am interested in contact printing 4x5 negs. Because of very tight space limit ations it seems that cyanotype would be a good way to start (no multi chemicals required). Any experienced advice would be welcome, Thanks Dave

  2. #2

    need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    I don't have any experience to share with you. However, John P. Schaefer's "The Ansel Adams Guide: Basic Techniques of Photography, Book 2" (misleadingly titled -- it's not basic and has little to do with Ansel Adams) provides an excellent overview of alternate printing processes, including detailed instructions for cyanotype.

  3. #3

    need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    hello david as a alt photo user I could say that you can have good information about it on the web . take a look to mike ware page (I forget the url the if yousearch for this and add cyanotype you will find it), and the alternative photo list on wich you could find a great help. the on ly thing I can add is do you want all your picture to be blue.there is other process who give a more neutral color.

    nze christian

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Dec 1997
    Location
    Baraboo, Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,697

    need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    Your best bet for learning all about this process probably is to access the archives of the alt.process newsgroup. There's a wealth of information about all aspects of the common alternative processes in those archives. If you go to Bengt's home page (do a search for "Bengt") and then scroll down to the heading "New Groups" you'll see an alt.process group. Access it and then post a question about how to get into the archives (sorry I can't tell you how to do it myself - I book marked them several years ago and forget how I originally got to them). Mike Ware's home page mentioned by someone else is supposed to be very good for cyanotype. There's also an article on cyanotype in the first or second issue of "The World Journal of Post Factory Photography." If you're interested in this new periodical (there have been three issues to far) devoted to alternative processes, send an e mail to "info@post-factory.org." BTW, the "Ansel Adams" book mentioned by someone else is terrible, riddled with errors. The gum bichromate section alone has something like fifty or so mistakes (the book was reviewed in the second or third issue of "Post Factory Photography" if you want to see a discussion of some of its numerous errors). When you get to the alt.process news group, you might ask for a recommendation for a good book that deals with cyanotype. "Keepers of the Light" by William Crawford has a section on cyanotype and is a very interesting book overall but others in the group may know of a better one.
    Brian Ellis
    Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Posts
    206

    need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    Cyanotypes are very easy to make, and the information in the replies should get you started. With the addition of some silver nitrate to the basic mix, you can also produce nice Van Dyke brown prints. Be aware that the potassium ferricyanide used in the formula is a silver bleach. I exposed one that wasnt completely dry after coating and lost all the image in a 8 x 10 negative.

  6. #6

    Re: need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    Wow, didn't realise that last bit of information, thanks Tony....!!

  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    144

    Re: need info re: cyanotype contact printing


  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Denmark, Europe
    Posts
    2,165

    Re: need info re: cyanotype contact printing


  9. #9
    Rob
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Santa Cruz, CA - USA
    Posts
    11

    Re: need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    I have a couple of cyanotypes drying right now, there gonna be three color gums when I'm finished. The links already provided are great and I highly recommend the Post Factory Journal, but Brian's link is old. Email Judy Seigel jseigel@panix.com She will send you all the journals for like $35 including shipping. Best photo $$ I spent in 2009.

    And Emil Schildts (gandolfi) website and images are amazing. Thanks Emil

  10. #10
    Jon Shiu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Mendocino, California
    Posts
    1,317

    Re: need info re: cyanotype contact printing

    You need good direct sunlight to expose, so not so easy in winter. But I have heard a UV Tanning lamp works fine. I think I got the chems from Freestyle.

    Jon
    my black and white photos of the Mendocino Coast: jonshiu.zenfolio.com

Similar Threads

  1. Bosscreen contact info
    By Craig Maxwell in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 20-Jun-2007, 08:28
  2. Contact Printing OLEC Halide Metal Printing Lights
    By Gustavo in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 28-Jul-2005, 06:24
  3. contact info
    By david clark in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 13-Mar-2004, 12:45
  4. contact printing
    By Julian_3496 in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 3-Oct-2003, 13:19
  5. Yet another one on contact printing.
    By Sal Santamaura in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 22-Jul-2000, 22:58

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •