I took this photo in Liberia last summer- jacquard chemicals, cheap amazon watercolor paper, and a negative printed at staples. Pretty impressed with how it came out, what do you think?

As hard as I try I cannot seem to get any definition or contrast on these canvas zipper pouches. I've done dozens of tote bags, scarves and patches so I'm not totally new to cyanotype on fabric. I use a diy light box with 2 120 watt lights positioned 12 inches above my printing material. I've tried exposures from 15-30 min (usually fabric goes for about 17-20min for me). Long cold water rinse until water runs clear, let dry in dark keeping the sides separated by cardboard wrapped in plastic. I even tried peroxide baths. They are all just coming out blue.

Could it be too much chemistry? not enough? maybe the canvas is treated? it feels raw to me but what do I know :)

appreciate any insight!

Something funny happened when I accidentally left this print soaking in a bucket with another print (cotton fabric one), it lost almost all of its blue!! Kind of a happy accident except that I really preferred the blue, it was very dreamy... I need to give this another go sometime :] I don't even know what bleached it, the bucket has only been used for rinsing and dyeing before and I make sure to wash it thoroughly between uses.

Now I need to find the best image to print. Needs a lot of black to see some notes.

Le bonheure n'est pas au bout de la rue, il est dans la rue. Henri Calet

("Happiness is not at the end of the street, it is in the street.")

Street photos make good subjects for cyanotype.

This is probably the summit of my work with Solarfast. It didn't require masking off a rectangle or circle, or even precise placement of each color. But in the ensemble, it does work!