Cyanotype demonstration with Peter Friedrichsen

In October 2022, the Alternative Process Social welcomed Peter Friedrichsen for an engaging and educational demonstration on the cyanotype process. Hosted by Horst Herget, this event provided participants with a unique opportunity to witness the cyanotype technique from start to finish. As one of the earliest photographic printing processes, cyanotype remains a favorite for its distinct blue hues and simplicity, yet Peter’s expertise added depth to the experience, showing how the process can be elevated to create stunning, detailed prints.

Prior to the event, participants were invited to submit one image each as a digital file. From these submissions, a limited selection was chosen for printing—not based on artistic merit, but rather on how well each image might illustrate particular attributes of the cyanotype process. This approach allowed attendees to focus on the technical aspects of the process and understand how specific images interact with the cyanotype’s characteristic tonality and contrast. Peter guided the group through the essential steps, from preparing the sensitized paper to the exposure and development phases, sharing valuable tips and techniques along the way.

The cyanotype demonstration was not only informative but also interactive, sparking curiosity and questions from participants eager to explore the process further. Peter emphasized the flexibility of cyanotype, demonstrating how it can be used on various surfaces and materials to achieve different effects. By the end of the session, attendees left with a deeper understanding of the cyanotype process and plenty of inspiration to experiment with this historic yet timeless printing method in their own work.