The Amazingness of Cyanotypes

So today was a very interesting experience.

As I have said before, I am taking an alternative processes class this semester. Over the past year or so I've been focused more on the documentary style of photography. This alternative class is good to get me back in the creative side of photography. Today was our first time printing Cyanotypes and I loved it. This process creates a Prussian blue toned print. The older process created a lighter cyan-type color (hence the name) but the process we are using is much easier according to our professor.

Negative, light sensitized paper in contact box
ready for exposure.

Unlike traditional dark room prints, the paper we are using is plain watercolor paper.  There are so many things to take into account before you even start! Each paper creates a slightly different shade of blue and holds up differently in the chemistry we use. There are also different textures to pay attention to. But when you figure all this out there's still so much more to do! The first steps include marking and taping off where you want the image on the paper and cleaning the glass on the contact box. We even have to apply the light sensitive chemistry onto the paper ourselves! Its not as light sensitive as the paper used for gelatin silver prints which cant be in the light or else it'll ruin the paper. So we paint it on with sponge brushes being careful not to put to much or too little on. Its this really ugly looking greenish yellow color. We then dry it with a hair dryer, tape the negative onto it and put in the contact box. Then its ready for exposure!

After 3 minute exposure, before processing.

It really is a guessing game when it comes to how long to expose it. I started out with a 3 minute exposure to pure UV light. We looked at it and decided to process it like that. The yellowish parts you see to the left are the lighter parts of the photo. This tint will be washed away to reveal the beautiful blue color that you see below.

Strathmore paper fter processing.

I decided to do another print with Sketch paper. Its know for being smoother than water color. It also produced a slightly different shade of blue. Surprisingly this print was a longer exposure than the one above.

Canson Paper after processing.

So thats it for now.

New Years Resolutions

So, I know its a little late but I have finally decided on my New Years Resolutions. I've been thinking about them for awhile now but I just haven't written them down anywhere. Well, here they are:

1. Renew my love for God. Have Daily quiet times, prayer times, time with God.
2. Be healthier: drink more water, drink less calories; eat 3 servings of vegetables, 2 servings of fruit; eat less sweets; work out on a regular basis: classes at UNF Wellness Center, walks on the Nature Trails.
3. Make my own art.
4. Be the best student I can be for my last semester.
5. Be more than a photographer. Be a disciple. Be a writer. Be a student.

So there they are :) I hope I can live up to them!

Final Semster!

This will my final semester at UNF! In April I will be graduating with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography.

I'm only taking two classes, though, which could be a good thing. I'm taking a Alternative Processes and Senior Porfolio. I was lucky enough to land an Internship at Folioweekly here in Jacksonville. Alternative Processes is a class where we practice the old types of printing processes: Cyanotype, Van Dyke Brown, Blue Van Dyke and the Albumen processes. We will also be learning how to make digital negatives and salt printing. Senior Portfolio, I hear, will feel like two classes in one! The professor will be covering the artists Resumé, artist statements, the narrative (biography), and so much more. Oh! And on top of all that, we will be doing a final project. Thats one of the main things I have been stressing about over the winter break.

I've come up with several ideas.

Horses: I would want to focus on the relationship between horse and owner, horse shows, cleaning and grooming, etc. I have always loved horses, just like my mom, and I would absolutely love to do this project!
Rodeo: I have always loved the rodeo and I think there are countless shot opportunities but I dont know if I could get the permission to go back stage.

Firefighter/cop: I would focus on the life of a Jacksonville cop or firefighter. I would ride along with them and stay with them as they are waiting for a call. I think is the one I would most like to do but I think I will need more than the time we have to finish it.

Habijax: I used to volunteer as a photographer for Habitat for Humanity before I moved up to Jacksonville and I would love to be able to do it again.

Tattoos: For this project, I would want to focus on people with anywhere from one tattoo to whole sleeves or even a body suit. I also want to get a portrait of the tattoo artist in his/her environment.

Now, I'm left with the impossible task of picking one...

Italia!

So for my first blog post in over 2 years, I wanted to share one of my favorite things in the world: Study Abroad in Italy. I was there for 5 weeks with other students from UNF, where I currently am studying Photography. We started in a little town called Massa Marittima in Tuscany. From there we traveled to Rome, where we stayed most of the time, and we took weekend trips to Naples and Florence. One weekend a few friends and I went to Venice, also. Here are the links about my first week and a half:

Buenvenuto a Italia!!

Days 5-10

I will be reminiscing about the rest of my time in Italy on this blog and sharing some of my favorite photos.