On Wednesday 26th June, a group of Risedale School pupils delved into the world of alternative photography with a cyanotype workshop. Led by Design & Technology teacher Mrs Vizor and visiting artist Elaine Vizor, the session offered a unique opportunity for the pupils to explore a sunlight-powered artistic technique with a rich history dating back to the 1840s. Cyanotypes, also known as blueprints, were invented by Sir John Herschel as a way to reproduce scientific documents. This early photographic process uses light-sensitive iron salts to create distinctive blueprints.

"It was a wonderful experience for the pupils," shared Mrs Vizor. "Having my own Mum, Elaine, guide them through this historic process made it even more special."

The workshop began with Elaine introducing the cyanotype process to the pupils. They started by creating small cyanotypes on specialised photosensitive paper, familiarising themselves with the technique. As their confidence grew, they progressed to larger-scale projects, experimenting with textiles and even creating cyanotype designs on t-shirts.

Sunny skies proved to be a perfect partner for the workshop. Mrs Vizor remarked, "The pupils truly enjoyed the experience, and the cyanotypes they created were fantastic. The beautiful weather allowed us to use sunlight effectively to expose the cyanotypes, making the entire day a resounding success."

Elaine Vizor added to the positive atmosphere, commenting, "It was a fantastic afternoon working with the Risedale pupils. I normally work with adults, so to have the opportunity to share my knowledge with secondary school pupils was a brilliant experience.”

She added, “Every pupil was engaged in the process. They were magnificent and a pleasure to work with. Their creativity shone through and their individuality was evident in the varied designs they produced. The workshop went very smoothly and too quickly. We covered a lot of ground and it was a joy to work with such an interested, motivated and appreciative group of young people. It was also incredibly rewarding to see my daughter, Mrs Vizor, in action, teaching and inspiring the next generation."