Cyano effect

[fotofrank]

You are both very welcome!

I glad this worked for you, I attempted to make the conversion to Cyanotype simple.

[Chris]

Thank you Fotofrank for the gradient map file. Please can someone let me know if I have understood the procedure correctly.

1- Make a duplicate layer of the original image and desaturate it (or use a Hue saturation adjustment layer to desaturate).
2- On top of the layer stack load the blue gradient map file and set the blend mode to overlay.
3- Adjust the brightness and contrast as needed. Adjust the transparency of the gradient map layer.

Below is a screenshot of the gradient map settings. Are they correct?

Kind regards
Chris

[fotofrank]

Hi Chris

You selected the wrong gradient adjustment layer - it's the Gradient MAP, not the fill. You just add a Gradient Map adjustment above you image.

[Chris]

Thanks Frank. It works great! So should the gradient map layer be set to normal or overlay? is it also necessary to desaturate the original image before applying the gradient map?

Kind regards
Chris

[hmca]

I just downloaded the gradient and gave it a try. I really don't know a lot about gradient maps, so would love to see some before and after examples of people who achieved the lights being dark as HappyScot suggested.
I am using PS but I think everything basically works the same for this in PE.
To get the look I "think" I'm supposed to get I needed to invert my B/W image. In the layers panel I changed the blend mode to color.

Before:




After:




Layers:

[fotofrank]

My before


After


Layer Stack


Alternate version


Layer Stack

[hmca]

Thanks, Frank. The examples are very helpful. I see you used difference blend mode on the top one. Do you recommend "tweaking" the gradient?
I especially like your second example. I imagine it all comes down to experimenting and knowing what images work well with the effect.

[fotofrank]

Helen,

After spending a while creating the Gradient, I don't think that I would change the colors. Changing the blend mode, opacity or adding other adjustment layers, I do all the time.

I'm pretty sure there is no wrong way -that's why it's art.

[hmca]

Thanks, Frank. I tried one more.

Before




After



Layers
I duplicated the B/W image and used multiply blend mode. Added gradient map. Added a curves layer.



I duplicated the B/W image and used multiply blend mode. Added gradient map. Added a curves layer.

[Chris]

Thank you for posting this image Helen. In this case the Cyano effect adds to the impact and mood of the image.

I was intrigued to know what Cyano prints looked like and found these examples.


Kind regards
Chris

[Chris]

Thank you HappyScot for posting your original question and thank you Foto Frank for sharing the gradient map. I have learned a new technique.

Here is my take. I chose to leave the gradient map blend mode set to Normal to produce less contrast. I mixed a B&W conversion with the gradient map layer set to 70% opacity.

Kind regards
Chris

Layer Stack:





Original Picture:



With the Cyano effect at normal contrast:


A more aged version by tweaking levels.


Kind regards
Chris

[hmca]

Thanks, Chris and thanks for sharing the link.
I think HappyScot and Frank have provided us with an interesting technique to explore.

I like the results you achieved on your flower. The toning is lovely.
Because this is a learning forum it really helps to see examples of how people have used the gradient
that Frank created.

[HappyScot]

Ah, I should have said that I reversed the CYANOtype gradient of fotoFrank to get the proper colour way. Remember the lights should be dark and the dark light in a 'proper' cyano image. In your houses example hmca, your whites are still white and your dark still dark.

Having experimented quite a bit now, I find you need to be careful as too much white and too much black in the original image doesn't give a good final pic. And I personally still prefer the 'wrong' colourway.

[HappyScot]

Thank you everyone for your help and interest!

[hmca]

Thanks, HappyScot. I really do like the very first image you posted....which I guess is "wrong". Your examples above are very helpful. In the first example I posted the whites are dark but actually too dark for me.

I see what you mean about my second one. I realized it wasn't correct but did like the overall tone it created. I like the results that Chris got as well.

In the images above I also prefer the "wrong way around".....I think it is because the toning matches the delicacy of the flowers.

So I guess like other techniques you have to find what works best for your particular image. Thanks again for starting this thread.