Cyanotype is the deep-blue contact print process that predates the photograph as most people know it, and here you make one from plants you pick yourself in the gardens of Alice Austen's Victorian Gothic cottage on the Narrows. The tour covers the house's Queer Ecology Project before you expose your prints on the lawn with the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in view. If you want a free, hands-on souvenir of Staten Island, this is a better one than a fridge magnet.
What to expect
An hour of guided garden walking with a bag for specimens, followed by an hour of laying out and exposing prints on the lawn. Everything happens outdoors, so the programme is weather dependent and registered participants are emailed if it is cancelled. Materials are provided.
Good to know
- Take the ferry to St. George then the S51 bus, or the S52; the house is on Hylan Boulevard
- Registration is required and the programme is weather dependent
- Everything runs outdoors on the lawn, so wear sun protection and comfortable shoes
- Suitable for all ages and billed as family-friendly
- Prints need time to dry, so bring a flat bag or folder to carry yours home
- The waterfront lawn looks straight at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
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Common questions
Do I need photography experience?
No. The session opens with an introduction to cyanotype technique, and the process is contact printing rather than camera work.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The programme is billed as all ages and family-friendly, and the plant-collecting walk works well for kids.
What happens if it rains?
The programme is weather dependent and runs outdoors on the lawn. Registered participants are notified by email if it is cancelled.
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