"Photographic Cyanotype Sun Prints"
Mary Louise Ravese, Bella Vista Photography

Cyanotype is a simple photographic printing process that creates an archival blue and white print. The cyanotype process was invented in the 1840s and is easy and inexpensive to do at home

In this beginner class, we'll use plant clippings from the arboretum garden, or items you bring from home, to make cyanotype photograms aka sun prints.

Mary Louise will explain how to make botanical "photograms" – direct contact prints of plants placed on sensitized cotton material and then exposed to sunlight. The developed print is then rinsed in a water bath and then left to dry. The final print will have a blue background and no color where the plant touched the material or left a shadow on the material. So, this process is a great way to celebrate the different shapes of plants.

No camera needed for this process!

The chemicals involved include ferric ammonium citrate, potassium ferricyanide and hydrogen peroxide. They are safe to use, but care should always be taken to avoid ingestion, inhalation and contact with skin.

Items to Bring
Please bring the following items:

Two trays or flat plastic container at least 3" deep and big enough to easily hold an 8.5" × 11" sheet with space all around
Safety glasses
Gloves (like for dishwashing)
Objects to use in your print - must fit on an 8.5" x 11" sheet (optional)
Notepaper and pencil/pen

Age
Suitable for ages 14+.

Cost
$70.00 JCRA members, $85.00 nonmembers.

Registration fee includes $30.00 material supply fee (includes one frame and materials to create two 8.5" x 11" cotton fabric prints).

Click here to Register