[Frameworks] Cyanotype on film

[Beebe, Roger W.]

Here’s an answer from Ben Wigley to the Labos list in response to a very similar question.  (I’m only bouncing this—haven’t tried it myself.)


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In this book about Anthotypes - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anthotypes-Explore-darkroom-garden-photographs/dp/1466261005
they apply the emulsion with a brush or a sponge as it applies a much thicker emulsion - to greater effect, than dipping….
perhaps you could try taping to a surface and applying with sponge/brush and then you wouldn’t get it on the back of the film? You could also wait for a coat to dry and apply more?

I’m guessing you would need a very long exposure for this technique

This is what a friend of mine emailed me when I asked him - not sure if it helps:

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"A gel is required for a carrier if the film is bare plastic: Gelatine, Agar
Subcoat with chrome alum hardened gelatine or agar, overcoat with cyanotype in gelatine. There may be an issue with the heat of molten gelatine (agar is worse as it requires a higher temperature) curing off the cyanotype reagent (turning it blue). Cool gelatine to as close to the gelling point as possible before adding cyanotype sensitiser. May need to use a restrainer - few drops of 10% sodium chlorate per 20ml cyanotype reagent - this will also increase contrast, and lower sensitivity.

OR you can overcoat the fixed film with gel / cyanotype emulsion

If you use fixed out print film - When fixing film do not use a hardening fixer, plain hypo is fine.

Under red light soak the fixed, washed in deionised water and dried film in a strong solution of cyanotype ? double strength? with a trace of wetting agent, like Photo flo,

Remember the volume of cyanotype solution soaking into the gelatine film layer is minute and will appear to run off the film

then drain and dry, remove adhering spots of water on the film surface with a tissue. When dry load film into camera under subdued or red light. Remember cyanotype sensitivity is very low much less than 1ASA, so single shot time exposures will be required for each frame - determine exposure by trial and error.

There is still some fine detail I’m not describing, but I’ve never done this on film before.”

On Jul 26, 2018, at 2:45 PM, Devon D <devonimation at hotmail.com<mailto:devonimation at hotmail.com>> wrote:

Howdy Frameworkers,

Trying to do some cyanotype on film, 16mm & 35mm, having trouble getting the solution to stick and coat evenly on the film. Anybody have tips?

Thanks bunches,
Devon Damonte
Olympia, WA
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