Bois de Boulogne © McCarthy
This practical workshop will initiate all beginners to the cyanotype photo process, one of the oldest in photography (invented in 1842). It’s an ideal photo technique for the Summer months as exposures can be made in sunlight. (In the event our weather is not perfect, we’ll be using an exposure unit with ultraviolet bulbs for our exposures). Cyanotype is one of the easiest of the “alternative” photo processes and is one which can please those with a strong interest in photography as well as those more drawn to painting and drawing. It allows for very precise detail and yet can also have a very painterly quality.
In the course of the workshop we’ll look at two different approaches to working with the cyanotype emulsion. Beginning with photograms where we’ll use objects such as flowers and leaves to create shadow pictures. Next we’ll move on to preparing digital images to print out enlarged photographic negatives that we’ll be able to use to make very high quality cyanotype prints of your digital images. We’ll discuss all the necessary equipment and chemistry necessary, where to buy the material, the papers and other materials. We’ll discuss best techniques for applying the emulsion to a paper support as well as how to develop a finished image.
What to bring:
We’ll supply all the materials (emulsion, paper, film material for printing negatives, equipment for making exposures, etc.) Workshop participants are asked to bring a series of reasonably high resolution (300 dpi up to A4 size) digital images (in color or black and white) on USB key. The cyanotype process is quite precise and can handle most images quite well but is probably best adapted to slightly more contrasty and graphic images.
Other Recommandations:
Price: 135 € per person (reduction if you come with a friend: 125 € per person).
See our Upcoming Workshop Dates
Payment Methods: by preference, PayPal but local French checks will be accepted if they arrive at least one week before workshop.
Workshops take place in Gentilly just at the Southern border below Paris easily accessible with RER line B (Gentilly stop). Buses 57, 125 and 184 all stop within two minutes of the atelier. Via car, exit Paris at Porte de Gentilly. (precise directions will be sent after registration for the class).