Cyanotype photogram is a photographic printing
process invented by the English astronomer Sir John Herschel in 1842. In
the past engineers employed this method to produce large-scale copies of
drafts and designs. Because of its cyan-blue appearance, the product is
called the "blueprint." The technique of making cyanotype photograms is
very simple: coating a piece of paper or fabric with light-sensitive
chemicals, putting plants or other objects on top of the coated surface,
and then exposing it to direct sunlight for a few minutes. After the exposure,
the blocked area remains white and the unblocked area turns into gray.
In the next step, the chemical reaction is ceased by washing the picture with
water. At the end the exposed portion of the picture becomes Prussian
blue.
Usually the artist must evenly distribute the chemicals on the paper in
order to produce a smooth print. I tried to be creative and therefore I
used tissue papers to smear the chemicals. In addition, the amount of
light impacting the bottom of the photo is reduced, and as a result, a
moon-like object is created (as shown in the last picture on this page).
