Herbarium: Cameraless Contacts

 

Hello, my name is Rhylynn Wahl, I'm a digital & film artist based in Regina, Saskatchewan. Currently, I am completing my bachelor's degree in computer science, & a certificate in photography with the University of Regina.  

Cyanotype is the original blueprint, using potassium ferricyanide, ferric ammonium citrate, & light to create a blue image. It was a way for John Herschel to reproduce his notes. I aim to capture, reproduce, & share George F. Ledingham Herbarium with the cyanotype process. 

The process I used was quite particular as I experimented with minor differences and made sure to repeat processes leading me to my final images. All images from start to finish are labeled and have notes taken on the detailed process. For my final 9x12" images, I used 1.5ml of total chemical and placed the page in the lightbox for 15 minutes (with the plants placed on the paper). I used hydrogen peroxide to develop the image and citric acid to balance the water.

Parietaria & Unknown 
Taped borders, 0.5 ml solution, for each 6x9", 15 minutes in total of the lightbox
added Parietaria twice at 2 minutes, 4 minutes, & 6 minutes mark. 

                     

Euphorbia Serpyllifolia, August 21, 1990, Native to the United States.

   Taped borders, 1.5 ml solution, 15 minutes in the lightbox. 

                  

Artemisia Ludociciana, June 23, 1970, Highway 191 Wheatland County 

Mountain. 

Double-sided tape on the back, 1.5 ml solution, 20 minutes in the lightbox, 

practiced brush strokes. 

                          

   Artemisia Ludoviciana. August 4, 1997, West of Wascana Creek. 

  Double-sided tape on the back, 1.75 ml solution, 15 minutes in the lightbox. 

                        

Polygonum Lapathifolium, August 3, 1998, 2335 Athol Street, Cathedral 

Area. 

Taped borders, 1.5 ml solution, 15 minutes in the lightbox. 

                    

     Hesperis Matronalis, June 22, 1998, Europe & Asia.

     Double-sided tape on the back, 2 ml solution, dried for 30 minutes and coated

     once more, 20 minutes in the lightbox, practiced brush strokes.   

                   

    Papaveraceae, July 7, 1995, Wascana Pond North of Universty, Regina. 

    Double-sided tape on the back, 1.75 ml solution, 15 minutes in the lightbox.  

                          

  Polygonum Lapathifolium, August 28, 1995, Lake View Area, Regina.

  Double-sided tape on the back, 1.75 ml solution, 15 minutes in the lightbox. 

                          

Solidago Canadensis (Canada goldenrod), August 4, 1998, Native to 

Alaska to Newfoundland. 

Taped borders, 1.5 ml solution, 15 minutes in the lightbox.  

                         

Unknown 

Taped borders, 1.5 ml solution, 15 minutes in the lightbox. 

                          

    

  Visceral Geranium, October 29, 1998, 2335 Athol Cathedral Area, Regina.

    Double-sided tape on the back, 1.75 ml solution, 10 minutes in the lightbox

    with the circle left for a day 6 minutes in the lightbox with just the Visceral 

    Geranium.