Jeffrey Yoo Warren

Microscopic Cyanotypes

As I’ve been making and using DIY microscopes for some years, I was curious to try taking an analog photograph of a microscopic sample. I have been testing a way to produce a cyanotype directly from a microscopic slide using a UV laser and a small lens, and have been able to produce small snapshots of cells and insect parts in just a few minutes.

This type of microscopic photography requires no electronics and results in a print. It will be an interactive part of AS220 Industries Drink and Ink event in May 2020, where I will be Artist in Residence.

two cyanotype prints hanging from a shelf, showing microscopic images, including one of a millipede

a close-up image of a blue circle of light on a clipboard in a dark room, showing magnified microscopic shapes

Images CC-BY-SA Jeffrey Yoo Warren (some with Public Lab)


Jeffrey Yoo Warren is an artist, community scientist, illustrator, and researcher in Providence, Rhode Island.