T05. The Surprising Beauty of Combining Cyanotype and Lumen with Henri Blommers

In this workshop, participants will explore the visual and material differences between cyanotype and lumen printing, focusing on how both processes interact when combined in cyanolumen prints. The session compares their chemical behavior and aesthetic qualities, encouraging a deeper understanding of how each technique responds to light and exposure.The practical work introduces dry and wet workflows, beginning with the preparation of dry cyanolumen and moving into wet experimentation to observe shifts in color, contrast, and image formation. Particular attention is given to how process variables directly transform the final image.Participants will work both with and without negatives, analyzing how negatives affect detail, density, and tonal range, while practical tips and troubleshooting strategies are shared throughout. The workshop concludes with continued work on dry prints and a collective discussion centered on the key question of whether to fix or not to fix, examining how fixing influences stability, color, and the overall appearance of the image.

Outline

1. Introduction to the differences between cyanotype and lumen, and overview of cyanolumen results
2. Visual references and inspiration from other makers
3. Preparation of dry cyanolumen
4. Working dry and wet to compare process behavior
5. Working with negatives
6. Practical tips and troubleshooting
7. Continued work on dry cyanolumen prints
8. Discussion and comparison of fixed versus unfixed results

Participants may bring (optional):

• Plant material.
• Digital negatives.
• Their own photographic paper and sheet film to work on.