Í viðjum / Bound N°11, 2024, cyanotype photographs Limited Edition of 16

Photographs captured near a roadside in Gothenburg, Sweden, showcase a striking scene of urban nature. A steep cliffside looms over the street, restrained by wire netting to prevent any potential rockfall. Below, natural flora and fauna push through the restraints, creating a captivating interplay between the rugged rock face and the resilient vegetation—the juxtaposition of the uneven cliff and the lush growth results in a visually dramatic and stunning composition.

Cyanotype photographs: the process

These images are not mere photographs but a testament to the meticulous artistry of the cyanotype process, which traces its origins back to 1842. A solution of photosensitive iron salts is delicately painted upon watercolour paper. Once dry, a digital negative is carefully sandwiched with the paper and illuminated with ultraviolet light. The resulting blue image is a cyanotype photograph, a unique and captivating art form. I then proceeded to bleach the image lightly before toning it in a solution made from white Aleppo oak gall apples, adding depth and character to the composition with darker iron grey and lighter reddish brown hues.

Camera technique

I captured these photos using a Fujifilm GFX 100s camera with an 80mm f/1.7 lens. The camera features a medium format sensor and exceptional optics, resulting in highly detailed and high-quality images.