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| Polaroid Manipulations, Emulsion and Image Transfer Technical Matters |
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I have been working with Polaroid image and emulsion transfer methods since 1995 and began working in 8 X 10 format in 1998. This art form is an exciting endeavor. I was drawn to these methods for the delicate, texture and unique image quality that is created which is unable to be duplicated. Also, the procedure harmonizes with my form of hand - painting. Summary: Polaroid, the first instant-print film, was introduced by Edwin H. Land along with his invention of the Polaroid Land Camera in 1948. His film incorporated a sealed pod consisting of developer-fixer and a "receiver," or positive. It only took a minute for the image to develop after it exited the camera and another door into the world of photographic creativity was proven. Polaroid film was adopted readily by professionals as an aid to pre-visualization of any subject, but the true artistic use of the film was discovered by accident. In the mid-1960's a researcher at Polaroid Corporation inadvertently left a Polacolor peel apart negative lying face down on a counter's surface. He returned later to discover that the remainder of the dye had transferred to the counter surface, thus the very first Polaroid "Image transfer" was discovered. Land discouraged using his film in this manner. So, all experimentation was put on hold until the process resurfaced in the 1970's. The Image Transfer method is accomplished by exposing the picture and then interrupting development process prematurely my peeling the negative from the positive sheet. The negative, still holding the dyes of the image, is placed on a receptor and then pressed together and left to continue to develop. In about two minutes the negative is pulled off the receptor and discarded leaving a transferred image.
NOTE: Images are of low resolution for internet viewing purposes. Please consider that tonal values and colors are approximate. Sizes of original images are not stated but vary from 4" X 5" to 8" X 10"'. Images are available for purchase please contact me using the link, "Contact"
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