Cyanotypes

MATERIALS

1. Self-mixed or kit solution
2. A medium; usually smooth, 100% rag paper but you can also use cloth, wood, or other materials. Experiment with different mediums.
3. A negative OR objects you find in your house or outside. This can also be experimented with. You just need something to block the light from exposure.
4. A contact print frame. (A piece of glass a little larger than your negative will do or you can make one using a photo frame, some foam core board, and some spring clamps.) OR 2 pieces of black construction paper/cardboard.
5. UV light source=SUN

If you want to buy a kit with the pre-mixed solutions, you can by it at a craft store or you can by it HERE on AMAZON.COM

STEPS

1. Turn off the lights in a room
2. Paint the solution on a your medium--it should be a bright greenish-yellow color like the following examples. You don't need to make it perfect because it will look like you painted on your picture after it has been exposed. I think it looks really cool that way.
3. Allow to dry
4. Place the negative or other objects on your prepared medium. The negative should be placed face up. After exposure, your picture will look just the way it did when you placed it. 
5. Put your medium with the negative/objects on a black piece of construction paper (or use a contact print frame if you have it). 
6. Also place another piece of black construction paper on the top to prevent exposure before you want it.
7. Take everything, already set in place, outside to your UV light source. 
8. Take off the top piece of construction paper to begin exposing your photo.
9. Depending on what solution you use, it may take different amounts of time to expose your photo, but it should only take about a minute or less. You may want to do a few tests to get your exposure time right.
10. When is done, cover everything up again with your construction paper and take it back inside. 
11. In the room where the LIGHTS ARE STILL OUT, uncover your cyanotype and run COLD water over it to wash of the excess solution that wasn't exposed. Do this for about a minute.
12. Allow to dry and VOILA! You have a cyanotype! 

Other Examples:

This would be a fun way to incorporate nature into your teaching. Go on a nature walk and find pretty leaves or flowers that you could use in your cyanotype. Or take pictures of things that you would like to create a cyanotype out of.