THE SET-UP CREATIVE CYANOTYPES

Get set up for cyanotype printing at home with a UV light

01 UV LIGHT

The cyanotype paper is sensitive to ultraviolet light. It can be exposed using daylight or with a UV light source, like the UV torch (a Convoy S2+) suspended above the print here. A small source of light like a torch creates hard-edged shadows that help create more denition in the print.

02 COATED PAPER

We coat paper in the cyanotype solution, leave the paper to dry in a dark place and store it in a light-proof bag until we’re ready to use it. When the paper is exposed to UV light, the solution goes dark. Any items placed on top of the paper block the light and show as white silhouettes.

03 SAFETY GLASSES

When using a strong source of UV light like the torch here, we should always wear safety goggles, because UV light can permanently damage eyes. Simple, plastic safety glasses will do the job. Even with the glasses on, keep your time under the UV light to a minimum.

04 ACRYLIC SHEET

A sheet of glass or clear acrylic is helpful for keeping the items …at against the paper. In any places where the items aren’t …at, they will come out softer because the light can seep around the edges of them. Weigh the sheet down with heavy objects or use clips to keep it …at.

05 SEMI-TRANSLUCENT OBJECTS

We gathered a few items from the garden, along with dried bugs we ordered online. Any items with interesting shapes work as the objects appear in silhouette as a photogram. Semi-translucent objects like the decaying leaves here are great as some of the light lters through the object.

06 DIM ENVIRONMENT

The exposure begins as soon as the paper is in light, so if you’re arranging items on top, don’t take too long. It helps to plan out your composition rst and arrange things under dim tungsten light, then when ready turn on your UV light or carefully take the paper outside to expose it.