*Venetian Back*
Cyanotype on Bockingford HP 300gsm
Model: Ela
This is one of my favourite recent images because of the way the light shines through the leaves and (therefore) through the silhouette. It works super well as a cyanotype as well, giving it an even more surreal feel.
*Flowery Melancholy*
Cyanotype on Bockingford HP 300gsm
Model: Christina
Tagetes erecta is a texture I’ve only recently found that delivers quite delicate images usually. I was a little frustrated with this print because I didn’t manage to protect the highlights in the upper torso, but that just goes to show I need to look into digital negative adjustment techniques.
*Peaceful Growth*
Cyanotype on Bockingford HP 300gsm
Model: M.
This was a tricky cyanotype to get right, with the delicate tones requiring several timing adjustments to get a result I really liked. That image is so poetic I feel like the cyanotype treatment fits it really well.
*Fresh as blue dew*
Cyanotype Bockingford HP 300gsm
Model: Meiyan
It’s very tricky to keep the highlights off white when printing on Bockingford HP, so the more highkey images are tricky to print. I think I pulled it off here although an extra minute or two of exposure probably wouldn’t have been amiss…
*Half a Nymph*
Cyanotype print on Bergger COT320
Model: Lia
I know I’ve shared this image a few times already, but it’s an opportunity to discuss one of my favourite things about cyanotype printing: no two prints will ever look the same. Not only will you see differences because of the way the cyanotype solution is painted on the paper, but the paper itself will make a huge difference on the final look. Here the figure is a lot darker, and the background is light blue as opposed to white, but that in turn allows me to do a « frameless » print since the background acts as a frame of sorts.
*Coleus Lara*
20×24″ cyanotype print on Bergger COT 320
Model: Lara
Texture: Coleus Plectranthus
I have shared several versions of Coleus Lara already (albeit under other names) but this very large print on COT320 looks very different. Because there’s no pure white to be had with this paper, I can use the light blue background in the « white » areas as a frame. I really like this print even though it will not be part of the upcoming exhibitions where, for the sake of consistency and higher contrast all prints will be on Brockingford Hot Press.
*Treescape*
Cyanotype on Bergger COT320
Model: Clément
This is another attempt at shifting papers in order to resolve details on this picture. With Brockinford paper, there’s no shoulder line on the left, most of the foliage inside the silhouette is faded, and there’s virtually no detail in the head. I wish I could get the background whiter, or at least lighter, but since that’s pure black on my negative I don’t see how that’s possible.
*Treemergence*
Cyanotype on Bergger COT320
Model: N.
For my photosynthesis series all my cyanotypes are done on Brockingford 300gms HP watercolor paper. I’m able to achieve great contrast and near whites on that paper, which works well with the type of images I’m printing. However, some of the more subtle images, with shades of gray on the negative are just blown by the contrast. I’ve tried numerous times to print them on Brockinford and it never came right. So today I tried on Bergger COT 320 which is a lovely paper but one on which I’ve found it near impossible to achieve white. However, it resolves a lot more detail. I tested it on Treemergence and I’m quite happy with the results, especially considering the paper isn’t dry yet and it usually becomes even nicer once it’s properly dry.
*Homo Florealus*
Cyanotype on Bockingford 300gsm HP
Model: Barth
Coleus is a super strong texture for this project because its has so much edge contrast (the leaves change colour from red-brown to light green on the edges). I did many successful portraits using it, but I think I have a small preference now for a quite wide take on the texture so there’s a lot of leaves. Homo Florealus (my pig latin version of the flora man) is a great example of that.
*Palms on the Back*
Cyanotype on Bockingford HP 300gsm
Model : Lia
I really loved the original photo for this double exposed back, and I think the cyanotype gives it a slightly gritty poetry that only adds to its beauty. What do you think ?
Recent Comments