The Cyanotype - Photographic Processes Series - Chapter 4 of 12

Summary

Sir John Herschel, a 19th-century astronomer and scientist, invented the cyanotype process, a non-silver photographic method producing permanent blue and white images. Initially underutilized, it gained popularity in the late 19th century for botanical records by Anna Atkins and later as 'blueprints' in engineering. Its affordability made it a favorite for amateur photographers for test prints and contact sheets, particularly among college students in the 1880-1890s.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Sir John Herschel was a prominent astronomer and scientist in the 19th century, known for his potential contribution to the invention of photography.
• 🔍 Herschel could have invented photography but was more focused on other scientific pursuits; he did, however, help Talbot with fixing his images permanently.
• 🎨 He invented the cyanotype process, which produces a blue and white image, after Daguerre and Talbot had announced their own photographic processes.
• 🌐 Cyanotype is a non-silver photographic process, which was unique at the time as most processes were silver-based.
• 🌿 The process involves using potassium ferrocyanide and ferric ammonium citrate, which create a compound that reacts to light to produce a blue image.
• 🌱 Anna Atkins, a British woman and friend of Herschel, was an early adopter of the cyanotype process, using it to create the first photographically illustrated botanical publications.
• 📚 Cyanotype's rich blue color gave it a distinct aesthetic, setting it apart from everyday images and making it suitable for artistic and scientific documentation.
• 🏗️ By the end of the 19th century, cyanotype found use in engineering as the blueprint, a term still in use today.
• 📈 The process was also utilized by photographers for making cheap test prints or contact sheets from gelatin silver negatives.
• 🎓 Many of the surviving cyanotypes are from college students in the late 19th century, indicating its popularity among amateurs.

Q & A

Who is Sir John Herschel and what was his significance in the 19th century?

Sir John Herschel was a renowned astronomer and scientist in the 19th century, known as a scientific superstar of his time. He was involved in the early development of photography and is credited with inventing the cyanotype process.

Why is Sir John Herschel associated with the invention of photography?

Herschel is associated with the invention of photography because he independently developed the cyanotype process after hearing about the invention of photography. He was also consulted by Talbot on how to fix his images permanently.

What is the cyanotype process and how does it differ from other photographic processes of the time?

The cyanotype process is a non-silver photographic process that produces a permanent blue and white image based on the salts of iron. It differs from other 19th and 20th-century photographic processes, which were predominantly silver-based.

What are the two main chemicals used in the cyanotype process?

The two main chemicals used in the cyanotype process are potassium ferrocyanide and ferric ammonium citrate. When combined, they create a compound that forms a latent image on paper when exposed to light.

How does the cyanotype process work to produce an image?

The cyanotype process involves brushing a mixture of the two chemicals onto paper, allowing it to dry, then placing it in contact with a negative and exposing it to sunlight. The areas exposed to light turn blue, creating a blue and white image.

Why did Anna Atkins use the cyanotype process for her botanical records?

Anna Atkins used the cyanotype process to create a record of botanicals without having to draw them. The process allowed her to produce photographic illustrations, which she then published in several series of books.

What is the significance of Anna Atkins' use of the cyanotype process?

Anna Atkins' use of the cyanotype process is significant because her published books of botanical specimens are considered the first photographically illustrated publications.

When did the cyanotype process start to gain more widespread use?

The cyanotype process did not see much use in the 1840s, but it started to gain more widespread use towards the end of the 19th century, particularly in engineering applications.

How did the cyanotype process evolve into what is known as the blueprint?

The cyanotype process evolved into the blueprint, which is a type of contact print used in engineering and architecture. It became popular for its ability to produce cheap, quick, and easily reproducible copies of designs and plans.

What are some alternative uses of the cyanotype process mentioned in the script?

Alternative uses of the cyanotype process included making cheap photographs from gelatin silver negatives, and its use by photographers for test prints or contact sheets as a proofing material, especially by college students in the 1880-1890s.

Why are most of the cyanotypes found in collections attributed to amateurs?

Most of the cyanotypes found in collections are attributed to amateurs because the process was relatively simple and inexpensive, making it accessible for non-professionals to experiment with and create their own photographic prints.