Cyanotype: Techniques and Experimental Applications
© Samanta Ortega
Cyanotype: Techniques and Experimental Applications
© Daura Campos
ONLINE COURSE

Cyanotype: Techniques and Experimental Applications

Dates: Wednesdays, Feb 19–Apr 2, 2025
Time: 11am–1pm (ET)
Sessions: 6 (No class on March 5)
Limited enrollment: 8 students
Fee: $455
Register Now

Cyanotype printing and its magical qualities — developed almost 200 years ago — has come back into the spotlight in recent years. Known for its distinct blue tones, this process is one of the most diverse photographic techniques, accessible to both beginners and devoted enthusiasts. In this comprehensive course designed for photographers and artists eager to explore this process, we’ll dive into the world of cyanotypes with a focus on paper and fabric materials. You’ll learn the skills for working with chemicals, materials, exposure, choosing photographs, and composing prints — as well as post-production and intervention experiments that make each piece of work unique. We will provide a solid understanding of the foundations, and then introduce a collection of alternative possibilities for expanding on your work with techniques such as toning with plant extractions, collage, and painting. Each session brings an assignment for students to practice with, followed by feedback, culminating in a final project. By the end, you’ll have a broader perception of the possibilities of cyanotype and a portfolio showcasing your work.

Please note: A list of materials you'll need will be provided before the class starts.
 
Daura and Samanta were a winning tag team combination of enthusiasm, encouragement about everyone’s work, brainstorming the outcomes of assignments and providing real-time solutions, superb materials, and being well-organized in their presentation. I could go on and on, but I can offer no higher compliment than that they are pros at teaching and sharing.
—Kevin (New Jersey)
Daura and Samanta did a wonderful job facilitating this class — they were super prepared for each class and gave us really helpful resources and video tutorials that I referred to multiple times when trying out assignments. I enjoyed learning other methods of alternative processes (although cyanotype is still my favorite).
—Tina (New Orleans)


Daura Campos
Daura Campos

Daura Campos is a visual artist and photographer based in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. In her practice, she investigates social issues through experimental photographic techniques, pushing against expectations of representation and exploring what is often left unseen. Her process allows analog film to exist as a reactive being beyond a medium of choice and aims to ignite discourse about our relationship with photography and society.

Daura has exhibited at the CICA Museum (South Korea), MK Gallery (England), Rotterdam Photo (Netherlands), Pinakothek der Moderne (Germany), Museum of Art of Pereira (Colombia), Gallery 44 (Canada), and Open Eye Gallery (England), among others. Her work has been recognized by the IPA – The International Photo Awards — with an Official Selection Prize (2024), Analog Sparks Awards with second place in the Technique category (2024), a high commendation from The JUST Art Award (2023), and others.

Daura teaches alternative processes for StrudelmediaLive.

Samanta Ortega
Samanta Ortega

Samanta Ortega is a laboratory scientist, photographer, and art educator based in São Paulo, Brazil. Integrating the past, present, and future of the history of photographic processes, she is dedicated to exploring and sharing research on plant-based photographic developers in an experimental approach to film manipulation and studies within photochemistry. By valuing analog photography that is based on the reuse of materials and simplification of processes, she addresses accessible alternatives in spaces with different infrastructures and audiences of a wide age range and levels of knowledge. She has taught at institutions including SESC (Brazil), Pinacoteca de São Bernardo do Campo, and at analog photography festivals and independent cultural spaces focused on film photography throughout Brazil.

Samanta teaches alternative processes for StrudelmediaLive.