Photographic Processes: 1839 – 1889

NON-SILVER PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES

CYANOTYPE, 1842-1920

Iron-based paper positive with Prussian blue as the image material

Paper is brushed with a mixed solution of potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate and dried. The paper is placed in direct tight contact with a negative and exposed to light. The image is "printed-out" during exposure with shades of blue in proportion to the amount of light received through different densities of the negative. The image is then washed in water to remove unexposed chemicals and dried. No fixing is necessary for this process.

The blue color will fade if exposed to light for extended periods.

Liberty Hyde Bailey. Cyanotype, late 1880s. [zoom]
2 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.

In 1888, botanist and horticulturalist Liberty Hyde Bailey assumed the chair of Practical and Experimental Horticulture at Cornell University. The simple and inexpensive cyanotype process became popular with amateurs and scientists between about 1880 and 1910.

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