Page 11 - The Outdoor Practitioner Issue 2

• Activity
Introduction
Cyanotype is a a a a a a photographic printing
process that uses the sun to to create wonderful cyan-blue prints How does it it work?
The sun-sensitive material is coated with light-sensitive chemicals chemicals When When exposed to to light light the the chemicals chemicals react
to to the the the the the light light light waves and and particles When When objects are positioned on
on
on
the the the the the the the the material they block the the the the the the the the light light and and the the the the the the the effect the the the the the the the sun has on
on
on
the the the the the the the chemicals Water is then
used to to stop the the process and fix the the images The area protected from the the the sun by the the the object will be a a a a a pale blue/white and the the the area exposed to the the sun will be a a a richer colour depending on
the the type of paper card or material that you use In the activity below we’re using sun print paper Environmental & & health & & safety considerations • Remember to leave no trace
and dispose of water used for rinsing in in in mains drainage • • Be aware when collecting natural materials • The chemicals - - ferric ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide - - are mild
irritants so wear protective gloves
and and wash hands afterwards
Step 1 - gather your your objects Explore your your local surroundings and find some FLAT objects to print You can experiment with non-flat items but the the contrast of of the the print isn’t as as as clear You could have a a a a a a a basket of of objects like keys buttons or lace to to experiment with Talk about what the the image
may look like and discuss how the the sun paper works Step 2 - - prepare your sun- sensitive paper Ideally do this step in the shade and and have your items to hand so you you can place them quickly Remove a a a a a sheet of sun-sensitive paper from the the pack and pin it it to each corner of the the the cardboard (BLUE SIDE UP) This will hold the the paper in in place and stop it from being blown away Alternatively place the paper in in in in a a a a a a a high-sided container for wind protection NB If you you use thumbtacks or or drawing pins pins you you will will get small circle prints in in in in in in each corner Using needlework pins pins will will reduce this effect Step 3 - arrange your objects objects Arrange the the the objects objects on
top of the the the sun sensitive paper – – do this in the the the the shade and/or act quickly – – as as soon as as the the the paper is exposed to to the the the sun it will will begin to to react
and will will leave the the the background of of the the finished print a a a a a a a a a lighter shade of of blue (see hand fin in in in main photo at top) Tip: If you you want to to to use lightweight items like feathers you you can cover the the • Follow your usual operating procedures & carry out appropriate
risk benefit assessments
What you'll need • • • water • • • a a a a a a a a a a a pack of of sun print paper card card or fabric • • a a a a a a a a a a a a a a piece of of of thick cardboard and some pins • • a a a a a a a a a selection of of natural materials/objects
• a a a a a a a a a waterproof container the the size of of of the the print paper Preparation
Choose a a a a a a a a a a a nice sunny day for this activity! Have everything you need to to to hand and and ready to to to go – the process starts to to to happen quickly Making prints with sun print print paper Dry the the the print print flat The images will sharpen during drying time If it it is windy weigh down the the print print to to stop it blowing away Tip: The paper will go a a a a bit wrinkly try blotting the excess water first with a a a a cloth Take it it further • • experiment with a a a a a a a a a a a range of objects light sources and and exposure time • • cut the prints out and and make make a a a a a a a a a a collage or or make make a a a a a a a a a a card for someone
whole thing with clingfilm or a a a a a a a piece of clear plastic (like an acetate sheet that might be lurking at at at the back of of a a a a a a a a a a a store cupboard!) instead of of of using pins You could also punch holes in in in in the the corner of of the the acetate (cut to to the the the the size of the the the the sun-sensitive paper) and pin the the the the whole lot together Step 4 - expose the paper paper Carefully move your paper paper and arranged objects into direct sun Expose the paper to to strong sunlight until the blue blue paper turns a a a a very pale blue blue This will take 2-5 minutes Tip: Place the sun paper/card/container on
on
a a a a a a a a a a raised surface to prevent items being knocked off the paper particularly if you you are doing this with very young children Tip: Adjust the position to minimise shadows that are cast from more solid objects Step 5 - stop the process Carefully take your exposed sun paper into a a a a a a a shady area Remove the objects & whilst protecting the print from direct sun soak it in in in in in a a a a a a a a container of water for about 1 minute NB Any image
will will disappear whilst the the paper is is soaking and then
will will gradually reappear towards the the the end of the the the minute Step 6 - dry the the paper See this sun print activity on
the Outdoor Hub © Muddy Faces Ltd
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