Inspiring Photo: Legs of Nude #2795718

Legs of Nude

© John H. Siskin

Uploaded: October 05, 2006

Description

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Comments

M.Christine Duncan June 13, 2008

A great example of monochromatic color John! Thank you for posting this :-) For just a pair of legs... this is a great composition! #941173

Sherry McClead June 13, 2008

Great shot John...

Sherrybear :} #6055348

John H. Siskin June 13, 2008

Hi Christine & Sherry,
This is a scan made from an original cyanotype print. The cyanotype process was described by Sir John Herschel in the middle of the 19th century. This is a hand made print. That is I made the sensitive emulsion and coated the paper. The process can be done with out a darkroom. The original is 8X10 inches because that is the size of the negative, the cyanotype material isn’t sensitive enough to make enlargements.

The cyanotype prints are alive; they change over time. Unlike many prints which merely fade as the decades roll by cyanotypes will fade if shown in a bright environment, but they will also get darker if you return them to a dark environment. They actually come back. Also cyanotype pigment is about the same as the paint pigment Prussian Blue, which gives you interesting retouching ability.

I like the design of the image as well as the color. You can see the edges of the film in the image here, which may give you an idea of how carefully the frame was designed. The camera is an 8X10 Toyo Field, and I think the lens must have been a 360 Schneider Symar. There is much to be said for the way a large format camera slows you down and makes you examine the entire image. The film is Super XX from Kodak, over developed to boost contrast.

It is possible to make a negative with an ink jet printer, so that you can make cyanotypes from a digital camera.
Thanks, John
#6056533

Laura E. Swan June 17, 2008

I agree with Christine and Sherry and would like to add that I like the angle(s?) of lighting that you used. I am assuming you used one lamp but with you I can never guess!!! #6072156

John H. Siskin June 17, 2008

Hi Laura,
This is a single light shot from a medium soft box. The idea was to get good definition on the front and back lines of the legs to give a defined, almost drawn look. This also created the soft shadows that add to the graphic quality of the shot. Thanks! John Siskin
#6072485

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