This Sun Printing workshop introduced participants to photographic history and some of the pioneering women who advanced photography as an art form. We created images utilizing the early historic cyanotype process, composing the prints with plants and personal objects. Cyanotype photography was invented in 1842 and produced a cyan-blue print. It was initially used for science to create reproducible blueprints and technical drawings. Cyanotypes are made when an object is placed on light-sensitized paper and exposed to the sun, producing an image in optimal circumstances within 15 mins. The botanist Anna Atkins pioneered cyanotype photography, and her 1843 book is thought to be the first-ever illustrated with photographic images. Her poetic placement of plants elevated her cyanotypes to art objects. Her work has been widely exhibited and inspires artists to this day.
These images are examples of the development process. A few students experimented with photography negatives and drawings.
We started exploring the cyanotype process using pre-coated paper and then cloth. Everyone quickly grasped the process and learned how to mix the chemicals to coat different substrates such as tissue-thin tea bag paper, wooden circles, and watercolor paper that we cut to make bookmarks. I gave out paints and colored pencils, and the women dedicated time to enhancing their cyanotypes for the final event.
During our culminating event, it was rewarding to see all the work made during only eight classes! Many of the women attended, there were new faces, and it was great to meet Melissa Caballero from Brooklyn Arts Council. I created a slide show of some of the work made during the class, which was screened on the TV during our party. This engaged group came to almost every class and stayed late as I cleaned up. We had a lot of fun.
