Cyanotypes were a pivotal development in the history of photography, offering a simple, affordable, and durable method for creating photographic images.
Cyanotypes are a photographic printing process that produces a cyan-blue print. The method was invented in 1842 by the English scientist and astronomer Sir John Herschel. Herschel’s discovery was part of his experiments with light-sensitive chemicals. The process involves two main chemicals: ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide. When these chemicals are mixed and applied to a surface, they create a light-sensitive solution that, upon exposure to UV light, forms an insoluble blue dye known as Prussian blue.
I learnt about cyanotypes when I was at art college. There was always something so ethereal and magical in their nature. Their simplicity in process encouraged you to think about composition in a completely different way; usually opting for having a single subject in the centre of the paper for the most impact. I also loved that with the simple addition of sunlight to the chemicals on the paper, you transformed the page into a deep spectrum of blue – a result that is very difficult to replicate in any other way.
The important thing for me, though, when I delved deeper into the history of cyanotypes, was the prominent figure who used them.
Anna Atkins (1799–1871)
Anna Atkins was an English botanist and photographer, widely recognised for her pioneering work in the field of scientific photography. Born, not far from me, in Tonbridge, Kent, Anna was the only child of John George Children, a prominent scientist, and his first wife, Hester Anne Children. After her mother’s death when Anna was still a baby, she was raised by her father, who provided her with an exceptional education, particularly in the sciences—a rare opportunity for women at the time.
The pivotal moment in Atkins’ career came with the advent of photography. In 1841, William Henry Fox Talbot, a family friend, announced his invention of the calotype process, a technique for creating photographic images on paper using silver iodide. Around the same time, Sir John Herschel, another family acquaintance, developed the cyanotype process, which used light-sensitive iron salts to create blue-and-white prints. Inspired by these innovations, Atkins began experimenting with these new photographic processes.
Atkins is best known for her use of the cyanotype process to document botanical specimens. In 1843, she self-published “Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions,” considered the first book to be illustrated with photographic images. This work was ground-breaking not only for its scientific content but also because it marked the first time photography was used as a means of scientific documentation. The cyanotype process allowed Atkins to create precise, detailed images of algae, capturing their intricate structures in a way that traditional illustration could not.
Despite the limited recognition during her lifetime, her contributions have been increasingly appreciated in the modern era.
Anna Atkins’ cyanotypes represent a significant intersection of art and science. Her meticulous documentation of botanical specimens provided valuable scientific data while also producing images of striking beauty. Her work laid the groundwork for the use of photography in scientific research and documentation, influencing future generations of scientists and photographers.
Cyanotypes Today
While the popularity of cyanotypes declined with the advancing of more versatile photographic processes and technology, their influence and inspiration endures. The simplicity and distinctive aesthetic of cyanotype prints have experienced a resurgence among artists and photographers today, who continue to celebrate the historical significance and unique visual qualities of the process.
My recent print collection is inspired by this simple yet beautiful technique, but I have created my own digital renditions that capture more intricate detail of my subjects. I hope you love them as much as I enjoyed making them!
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