Nikon FENikon FE, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 Pancake Today's eleventh post on cyanotypes builds on what I have posted about before. I shared how different papers can completely change the look of the final image. I compared three types of paper so far, all watercolor papers. On one end, I used a very bright watercolor paper with a very rough texture, which further contributed to an even more lo-fi look and high contrast. In the middle, I used a watercolor paper with a more subtle texture and lower brightness, which preserved more of the original detail and resulted in less contrast. And finally, printing on a basic smooth watercolor paper provided a result looking the most like a regular photograph, just in blue.
That final option is what I selected for the two prints presented in today's post. I wanted to keep and show the fine detail in the tree as well as the grass and thus went straight for the smooth paper.
Along the CreekCyanotype, Hiking Nemotínek
Along the Creek, Hiking Nemotínek, Nemotice, Czech Republic, An Original Hand-Made 5" x 7" Cyanotype
Chemically printed on a hand-coated smooth watercolor paper
The ability to reproduce fine detail really showed in the second photograph below. The grass and shrubs covering the banks of Kyjovka came through with a surprising detail, including the two trees in the background.
KyjovkaCyanotype, Hiking Nemotínek
Kyjovka, Hiking Nemotínek, Nemotice, Czech Republic, An Original Hand-Made 5" x 7" Cyanotype
Chemically printed on a hand-coated smooth watercolor paper
I will definitely continue experimenting with the three papers I have already used as well as introduce new ones. Oh, and I forgot about a fourth type I used at the very beginning and quickly abandoned. It was inkjet watercolor paper and I really do not recommend it for this type of printing, especially if you want something at least somewhat predictable. The cyanotype chemicals will react with the chemicals the paper is coated with to better receive ink and anything can happen. However, even that can provide its own unique look.
Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy
Previous posts in the Cyanotypes series: 1. First Cyanotype - 2. More Cyanotypes - 3. Highlands Cyanotypes - 4. How do Cyanotypes Happen? - 5. Cyanotypes V: Tweaking the Curve - 6. Cyanotypes VI: Toning - 7. Cyanotypes VII: More Toning - 8. Cyanotypes VIII: Toning Different Papers - 9. Cyanotypes IX: Horní Rozsíčky - 10. Cyanotypes X: From Black and White or Color - 11. Cyanotypes XI: Moravian Countryside
If you like cyanotypes you can explore the Cyanotypes Photo Gallery dedicated to my growing collection of them. Would you like to browse through traditional darkroom wet prints? Visit my Darkroom Photo Gallery and enjoy! Do not hesitate to contact me whether you would like to learn more or would like to purchase one of my prints.
Bird Island PierCyanotype BUFFALOCyanotype Chautauqua BelleCyanotype