Why Cyanotypes?
I began photographing people, at the age of 14, some 56 years ago.
Over my career as a photographer I’ve been drawn to portraits, more then any other subject. I look at people’s faces and bodies as a landscape of shapes.
In the last three-years in South Berkeley I’ve chosen to focus on portraits of those that pass by my portable studio on a street corner blocks from my home.
In March of 2020, at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic I had an exhibit cancelled and stopped my portrait work.
As a result of Covid-19 I spent the next 12 months pretty close to home looking for inspiration and a creative outlet while sheltering in place.
I’ve always been interested in alternative arts and processes, but never saw myself doing it as a part of my photography.
Of all the alternative processes cyanotype is simple and easy to learn and execute.
Cyanotypes are immediately recognizable by their vibrant Prussian blue (cyan) tones.
The cyanotype process was invented in 1842 and has existed nearly since the inception of photography itself.
I first began making cyanotypes and then toning them brown with sodium carbonate bleach before a tannic acid and water bath.
After the thrill of making blue and brown cyanotypes wore off I realized that if I were to claim the process I would have to depart from using the process as it was meant and develop my own techniques.