M. M. Rainey

M. M. Rainey is a photographer and digital artist based in Glasgow, UK, who works in many styles, ranging from straight photography across landscapes, architectural work, macro, infrared, and multiple exposures, to creating SF/Fantasy book covers in photoshop and 3D rendering programs.

A current project under lockdown this year, has been to learn the art of Cyanotypes, an alternative photographic process dating back to the 1880s. In a wet cyanotype, botanical specimens are laid on chemically-coated paper and exposed to sunlight, then washed to produce a characteristic ‘blueprint’ image. Various other chemicals such as vinegar and soap bubbles may be added to the paper to create a wet mix which gives textures and different shades to the final image.

A dry cyanotype involves creation of a photographic negative on acetate, which is then laid dry on the coated paper and exposed to sunlight. Once washed, the image may be left blue, or can be stained with solutions such as coffee or tea, or even bleached to a golden colour with washing soda.

The images here are examples of both wet and dry cyanotype processing.

www.mmrainey.com