For my workshop I wanted to teach everyone how to make photograms (a process in which the image is created without a camera) using the light sensitive chemical process of Cyanotype. Cyanotype is a photographic process in which any type of material is coated in a mixture consisting of toxic compounds (Potassium Ferricyannide and Ammonium Iron Cirtrate). These chemicals are light sensitive and turn cyan-coloured (blue) after being exposed to ultraviolet light from either a UV light-box or sunlight.
Though originally I was planning to hold this workshop outside with the other members of 4D2PS, unfortunately the poor weather conditions meant that I ended up taking objects from my group and printing them in the Camberwell Photography Darkroom, using the specially designed light-box. Here is what happened:
These images show coated canvas and paper. The solution is always green in colour before being exposed.
The objects are positioned on the dried, coated paper and then placed in a light-box.
An example of an exposed image. The coated canvas, as you can see below, has turned a darker colour after being exposed.
These are washed and exposed final images – hanging to dry.
Scans of final images of string, plastic, and knitting needles.
