This is VERY interesting to me.
Can someone please refer me to the basics of this? What I mean is that I have never made my own "Mixes" such as the one your describing. I've always been a premix developer guy.
As described above I wouldn't know where to start for example is this done in the darkroom when placing one's own emulsion on a "product"? So, a reference of how to start from scratch and where one would get such chems?
Thank you much.
Hi Tom,
Cyanotype is one of the emulsions that fall under the heading "Alternative Process". Alt process is typically contact printed from large format negatives using ultraviolet light. Other kinds of alt process are Platinum, Van Dyke, etc. Since the emulsions are coated on paper by hand, some times people get the idea to paint them on other surfaces, objects, etc. The results and success of such procedures varies. The formula being discussed here is a kind of "sizing" meant to help the cyanotype emulsion bind to the surface in question.
A two solution kit for cyanotypes can be found at the Photographers Formulary website. It's the easiest and least hazardous of alt processes. It can be coated in subdued tungsten light, and is developed with water and a hint of peroxide. The instructions are in the kit.
You need a big negative, the kit, paper or receptor that is good for the process, a piece of glass or a contact frame to hold the neg against the paper/receptor, and the sun. The resultant image is blue, but can be bleached and toned. I have an article on that here:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)