Cyanotype prints differ significantly from other forms of photography in the 1800s. The chemicals used are much less expensive because the developing is based on iron salts instead of silver. The prints generate an other-worldy appearance that contrasts with documentary photography of the 1800s. Modern photographers enjoy the strange effects you can generate with cyanotype prints.
Chris Gampat writes:
In 1842, Sir John Herschel published a paper called “On the Action of the Rays of the Solar Spectrum on Vegetable Colours, and on Some New Photographic Processes” in which he outlined his discoveries with the cyanotype process.