Participants arrange plants and objects for cyanotypes at the shared work table

There are those workshop days when one idea immediately leads to another. On Saturday, September 5, we had a morning just like that. We made cyanotypes at the studio in Much, experimented a lot, and really put the sun to good use. The weather was great. And so was our enthusiasm to keep going.

The point was actually to get acquainted with cyanotype. In the end, the participants didn’t want to stop at all. For me, that’s a pretty wonderful outcome: when an introduction sparks your own curiosity.

First, lay something down. Then try something different.

On the table were plants, glasses, and a necklace—all objects that can leave imprints on the coated paper. You don’t need a camera for this. The objects rest directly on the light-sensitive surface; the light does the rest.

How close together should I place the plants? What happens if I layer something on top? How does the same object look in a different spot? That can be explained. But what’s much more exciting is the moment when you try it yourself and later hold your own image in your hands.

Hands arrange dried plants on coated paper under a transparent sheet
Just a little more to the left. Composing the shot starts as soon as you lie down.
A chain and glasses are depicted as motifs on yellowish-coated cyanotype paper
It wasn't just plants: glasses and a necklace also became subjects for the photos.

The Sun Was There

We were able to expose a lot of material to sunlight that day. To me, this fits perfectly with this process: you prepare something with your hands, bring it into the light, and see what comes of it. When you rinse it out, you can see what traces remain.

The blue alone is already beautiful. But the images only become interesting through your own choices: a delicate plant here, a more distinct shape there, a bit of space in between, or a lot packed into one area. The results looked just as varied as you’d expect. That’s exactly what I love about these kinds of mornings spent together.

A blue T-shirt with light-colored plant silhouettes is hanging outside on a rack to dry
It didn't stop at paper. A T-shirt also got its very own plant prints.

And then there was the T-shirt

If the first attempts leave you wanting more, you don’t have to stick to the same idea. We didn’t just work on paper. Images also took shape on fabric—a T-shirt full of light-colored plant silhouettes on a blue background.

Results like these can’t simply be demonstrated the same way for everyone. Everyone brings something of their own to the table: a different arrangement, a different perspective, yet another idea. I guide the process, offer help, and am delighted when someone starts to think for themselves.

A quick look at the results

The short video shows some of the finished blueprints up close. Delicate plant traces appear alongside the outlines of completely different objects. In a single image, you often don’t realize what’s actually there until you take a second look.

17 Seconds of Blue: A Look at the Completed Works.

Satisfied. And actually, not quite finished yet.

In the end, there were many original images, satisfied participants, and plenty of enthusiasm for further experiments. We looked at the results together—and, of course, documented them. The fact that no one really wanted to stop is a wonderful compliment I’ll take with me from this day.

The workshop group displays their finished blue cyanotypes and the printed T-shirt outside
To wrap things up, here are my own works. Thank you for this wonderful morning!

For me, that’s what HOP – Hands On Photography is all about: taking matters into your own hands, asking questions, experimenting, and going home with your own creation. You don’t have to know how to do it already. That’s why we’re here together.

If you’d like to join us next time: On the Workshop Overview, you’ll find the current dates and individually bookable options. I’d love for us to try something out together.