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Yes, cyanotype is very easy for beginners! It’s a simple process, especially compared to other photographic or printmaking techniques. The basic steps involve collecting some foliage, exposing the paper to UV light (like sunlight) with the objects placed on top to create a negative image. After exposure, simply wash the paper in water to reveal the deep blue tones characteristic of cyanotypes.

No, cyanotype printing is not a new technique—it’s actually quite old! Cyanotype was invented in 1842 by the British scientist Sir John Herschel, and became more widely known and used after Anna Atkins, a British botanist, adopted it in the 1840s to create photographic images of plants. She’s often considered one of the first female photographers and used cyanotype to produce beautiful botanical prints.