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07/08/2003 Entry: "Cyanotype and VDB"

The weekend wasn't all wading in streams, loaded down with photo equipment. There was some time made for quieter pursuits, trying a new technique of combining cyanotype and Van Dyke in one print. This was my first attempt and I'm sure the next few will be better as I refine my technique and gain understanding of how to control the results. Thanks to Devra for tips on making this work.

This evening will be darkroom time, trying to catch up on several sheets of negatives that seem to have appeared in my folder.

alt-process geek details follow...

A slightly overexposed cyanotype is coated with a diluted (1:1 or 1:2) Van Dyke emulsion. The VDB is then printed with a bit of underexposure. If the alt-process gods smile on you, there will be an interesting mix of tones in the resulting print.

The cyanotype will fade a bit when it is coated with the VDB solution but seems to be unaffected by the rest of the Van Dyke process, including a short bath in a weak fixer.

Posted by yddstudio @ 07/15/2003 10:54 AM ET