WorkArt & Culture

Kind of Cyan flies the flag for oldest form of photography in the digital age

Kind of Cyan is a studio based in Barcelona, specialising in cyanotype prints. The cyanotype process is one of the oldest in the history of photography, and during the current digital revolution, founders Natalia and Ryan feel the need to look back at a craft that is handmade, analogue and uses an all natural light source – the sun.

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Flatlay arrangement showing blue cyanotype prints by Kind of Cyan alongside potted seedlings and botanical leaves on a textured surface

The duo explains: "Our cyanotypes are made by coating high-quality watercolour paper with a light-sensitive chemical, to then be exposed in direct sunlight for several minutes using a photo negative to get the best image quality.

"The print is then washed and fixed, to stop the chemical reaction and prevent fading. What you get is an amazing, Prussia blue image, with absolutely no ink involved."

This particular series features familiar scenes from film and art, presented in wooden frames. If you like what you see, visit the Kind of Cyan online shop.

Framed cyanotype print showing a skull in profile rendered in white against deep Prussian blue, held by a person wearing a beige shirt
Person holding a wooden-framed cyanotype print showing a silhouetted figure leaning against a railing in deep blue tones
Hand-holding a wooden-framed cyanotype print showing a person's face and hands in Prussian blue tones against white paper
Framed cyanotype print showing a minimalist illustration of a woman in white crouching against a deep blue background, created by Kind of Cyan
Person holding framed cyanotype print of a blue prickly pear cactus with two oval paddle-shaped stems
Cyanotype print in wooden frame showing a detailed close-up of hands clasped together in prussian blue tones
Person holding framed cyanotype print of a geometric white architectural shape against a blue background with horizon line
Person holding a framed cyanotype print of a classical blue sculptural head against a white brick wall
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