All Through a Lens: A Podcast About Film Photography
Arts:Visual Arts
We’ve got a case of the mean blues! – it’s Cyanotypes this episode! What are they, where’d they come from and how can You, the listener at home, do them? We also talk to Denise Grays (@deniseg316) about Kansas and her new zine, A Love Letter to Kansas. Tiffen Sinclair (@tiffen.sinclair) drops by with some news about disposable cameras. There’s also the answering machine and zine reviews.
DENISE GRAYS: A LOVE LETTER TO KANSAS
Denise Grays has been photographing Kansas for more than a decade. Her recent zine, a Love Letter to Kansas, released by Themselves Press, sold out quickly. Since we both adore Kansas more than life itself, we thought it was a great time to have Denise on and talk to her all about it.
Here are a few of Denise’s photos:
And here are her blog: https://deniseonfilm.blogspot.com/
CYANOTYPES: THEIR HISTORY AND HOW TO LOVE THEM
Cyanotype is a printing process that produces a deep blue negative print. Generally, a piece of paper is coated with an emulsion made up of potassium ferricyanide and ferric ammonium citrate. Once dry, an opaque object is placed on top of the paper and exposed to light. After exposure and washing, the unexposed emulsion is washed away, leaving an impression of whatever object was placed on the paper. The exposed emulsion turns a deep Prussian Blue.
We talk about John Herschel, who invented/discovered cyanotypes. So here are a few of his kinda crappy prints:
We also talk a lot about Anna Atkins, who printed Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions in 1843. Here are a few of her cyanotypes:
And some by her friend and “almost sister,” Anne Dixon:
Vania has also done some before. Here’s a handkerchief she gave Eric:
ZINE REVIEWS: ALL TRAVIS, ALL THE TIME
Eric reviewed Better Off #1 by Travis Cannady (@betteroffzine and @travis_cannady on IG)
It’s 60 pages of black and white city street graininess. Apart from some contact information, there are no words. The photos are printed full-bleed, extending to the very edges of the page. This gives it a really enveloping feel. He crops and moves his photos around to get the perfect composition. I’m always a little too afraid to do that. I’m an in-camera composer, and I desperately don’t want to be. And yet…
It’s inspiring. I’m seriously mulling over ripping off his style. You should too. Or at least pick up his zine.
https://betteroffzine.com/
$10
Vania reviewed Travis’ two other zines: Shadow and Light and Hannah & The Cambo Passportrait.
PATREON: THANKS!Thank you to everyone who supports us!
Check out our Patreon for bonus episodes, extended interviews, early drops. Tons of stuff!
patreon.com/allthroughalens
Our featured Patron for this episode is
Alex Percell @grainyblur on Instagram.
THE CREDITS OF ENDING
Music by Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers
Vania: IG, Flickr, Zines
Eric: IG, Flickr, Zines, ECN-2 Kits
All Through a Lens: IG, Website, Patreon, Spotify Playlists
Dev Party - The Results of Inspiration (Basically)
It’s Not The Opposite of Inspiration (w/ Jordanna Kalman) - Episode 73
Dev Party - Let’s Put the Fun in Funeral!
Does the New Leica Matter At All? (w/ Lisa Toboz) – Episode 72
Dev Party – The Family Just Disappeared
Satan Just Does Stuff… in 3D! (w/ Amy Badenchini) – Episode 71
Dev Party – Stand Development and Ask Us Basically Anything
The Woman Who Was Crippled By The Darkroom (w/ Kate Miller-Wilson and Taylor) – Episode 70
Dev Party - Workin’ Part Time at the 5 & Dime (510 Pyro, Okay?)
We Are Not Showgirls: Carinval Strippers (w/ Ariela Badenas) – Episode 69
Dev Party - DIY ECN-2 (aka Nobody Likes Grape Otter Pops)
Two or Three Cameras in Two or Three Wagons (w/ Imran Nuri) - Episode 68
Dev Party - Who Loves a Tank Full of Plates?
In A Box Marked ‘Private’ (w/ Rebekah Teague) – Episode 67
Dev Party - The Worst Emulsion You Can Force Upon Your Camera(?)
Season Premiere: An Excuse to Photograph Naked Humans - Episode 66
Dev Party – Pre-Game for the Old Flame (Too Many What?)
How Not to be Scenic
Dev Party - Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls (or Do, Actually)
Say Hello For the Summer! - We Shall Update You!
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