Invented by Sir John Herschel in 1842, the cyanotype is a relatively simple and elegant early photographic technique that employs iron salts and water to produce a vibrant and distinctive blue-toned image.

 

The cyanotype was the first successful non-silver photographic printing process, and was typically used in high-quality photographically illustrated books. The light sensitive iron salts can be hand coated onto various surfaces and artist papers, offering a versatility that is unmatched by other methods. While it is possible to create a wide range of more muted tones, artists are often drawn to the expressive possibilities of the cyanotype’s distinctive and beguiling blue cast.