Elysium, 2023, urban nature cyanotype photographs

Elysium is an awe-inspiring series comprising fifteen toned cyanotype photographs that vividly portray the dramatic interplay between the force of nature and the equilibrium of human civilization, giving a sense of urban nature. The serene landscapes are evocatively transformed into scenes teeming with tumult and peril, heightened by the pervasive influence of modern technology. The intricate mesh of effects created by the forest’s branches, bare leaves, fallen trees, and broken branches starkly contrasts the dominating presence of modernist structures looming overhead. This collection masterfully depicts the captivating dynamic between nature and human ingenuity.

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.