Cyanotypes Architecture

The Flatiron building , formerly called the Fuller building, was completed in 1902 by architect Daniel Burnham. This wedged shaped Beaux arts building was once one of the tallest buildings in New York city. It seemed right to tear a page from a 1939 sheet metal handbook and print a cyanotype of this iconic NY building.

Here's more than you probably want to know about the cyanotype process:
Cyanotypes, also called sun prints, are one of the oldest photographic printing processes dating back to 1842. Sir John Herschel developed this first silver less photographic process using only 2 chemicals and the sun as a light source. These sun prints are decidedly low tech as the final image of a cyanotype appears only with the aid of sunlight as a light source and water for a developer. This inexpensive, simple and permanent process was used for the blue print process for copying architectural plans, hence the name �Blue print.� The very first book of printed text and photographs by Anna Atkin used the Cyanotype process. My attraction to the Cyanotype process is the physical involvement during the printing process, allowing me to use my hands, eyes, and intuition when printing. I like the way the light, time, salts, and myself combine together to slowly deposit them on beautifully handcrafted paper. The depth of the tactile experience and the imposed slowness reveals moods and nuances in my images that I wouldn't normally see.
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