Cyanotypes from Digital Negatives
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Art 318/Alternative Digital Imaging Fall 2015 Julie Mixon/Aubree Ross M,W 8:30-11:10 PROJECT 4: CYANOTYPES FROM DIGITAL NEGATIVES: Overview: For this project we will be exploring the creation of digital negatives to use for the cyanotype process. Requirements: For this project you will create five cyanotypes. Two prints will be made using two different digital negatives, two will be photogram style (objects directly on paper) cyanotypes and the fifth will be your choice. One of the five images should be toned using a toning method (borax, coffee, tea, Dektol, etc.) other than the customary hydrogen peroxide bath that intensifies the blues. Supplies Needed: • Cyanotype chemistry (this will be mixed and ready to go) • Foam Brushes or Japanese brush (hake brush) • Gloves (this is not a suggestion, but required!!!! These chemicals are no joke. The dichromate in this process is a known carcinogen. Please take this seriously • Tongs (please use the tong that is dedicated as a cyanotype tong) • Hydrogen Peroxide • 2 Trays • Rives BFK or Canson Watercolor Paper (a limited amount of this will be supplied). I suggest trying both! • Chems for toning (supplied) • Heavy Glass or Contact Printer • UV Exposure unit or lots of sunshine Content: The content for this project is open. You must make new imagery rather than recycle old imagery. Spend time looking at cyanotype examples online to get a feel for what style and visual qualities work for this process. The final image may be produced by a scanner or digital camera. These boundaries are quite wide, so push yourself past the literal interpretation. You will be graded on the thoroughness of your exploration into this process as well as the concept you derive for this process. Procedure for Printing Digital Negative: Step 1: Prepare Your Image After you have captured your image (either with DSLR or scanner) prepare you image in Photoshop according to your aesthetic desires. Keep in mind texture detail in highlights is of great importance. Step 2: Prepare Your Image for the Digital Negative Template The material we will be using to print the digital negative on will be Pictorico OHP transparency or Inkpress Transparency film. The paper provided is 8.5”x11”. You must size your image accordingly. It must be able to fit on a letter sheet and must be a resolution of 360dpi. You also need to size the image to fit in the contact printers provided if you would like to use the contact printers. If you have multiple layers for your image, you must flatten the layers before moving onto Step 3. Step 3: Convert to Grayscale and Invert If your image is not already in grayscale, convert it to grayscale using a method that will retain proper texture detail in the highlights and shadows, specifically the highlights. If you have used a grayscale conversion method that uses an extra layer (like an adjustment layer), then flatten your image. Invert your image by selecting the image layer and clicking command-i on a Mac or Control-i on a PC. Step 4: Insert Image into Template Open the Cyanotype Digital Negative Template provided (there are instructions included in the template). Be sure that the layer titled “Select This Layer Before Dragging Image” is selected before dragging your image over. When you drag your image into the template, don’t forget to hold the Shift key to center the image on the page. Your image should be inverted (negative). By default the layer “Aspen’s Curve for Cyano” will be visible. You will need to “clip” this layer to your image layer by hovering between the “Aspen” layer and the image layer while holding the option key. When you see the symbol with a down arrow and a white square, then click. The “Aspen” curve layer will now be “clipped” to your image layer so that it affects your image layer only. Turn the “Select this Layer Before Dragging Image” text layer off. Step 5: Print Now you are ready to print. Go to File>Print. Select the appropriate printer and paper size for your image. Use the following dialog boxes to help you find the print settings: (This is the Print Settings Box) If your printer dialog box does not have an Output Resolution listed as numbers, then use the highest quality given. For example, on some smaller format Epson printers, Photo RPM is listed as the highest quality output resolution. After setting the above settings, click save and set the following settings before pressing Print. After all the appropriate settings have been set, load the transparency film in the printer according to the directions included with the paper. Be sure the printable side is facing you. Please note: These negatives are sensitive and can be scratched and ruined by water. Take precautions to keep them clean. A NOTE ON IMAGE CONTRAST: The cyanotype template has several curve layers to choose from. You may find you need to experiment with different combinations of the curves that are applied to your image to adjust contrast. The cyanotype process requires a negative with less contrast as the contrast increases in the printing process. DUE DATE: October 7th .