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Lloyd Godman
Alternative
Photographic Processes - (Hand
made photographic -emulsions and processes)
Polaroid
Emulsion Lifts
The
basic emulsion lift technique is extremely simple: just soak a Polacolor
ER print in hot water until the emulsion comes away from its backing,
then transfer the loose emulsion to a new surface. At this point the emulsion
can be manipulated in a number of ways to create fascinating distortions
of the original image. The original can be shot directly onto Polacolor
RT instant colour print film, using a medium or large format camera with
a Polaroid back, or shot on conventional transparency film and printed
onto Polacolor at a later stage. Whichever method you use, the Polacolor
print should be left for at least 24 hours after exposure before the emulsion
lift process is started. It is well worth practising with old proofing
prints first. to become familiar with the technique.
STEP
BY STEP
Arrange
your work space into wet and dry areas. Cut the watercolour paper into
sheets of a suitable size. Put very hot water into the first developing
tray, warm water in the second.
Leave
the print in the hot water for about five minutes and then gently rub
the emulsion away from its backing with your fingers. Wear rubber gloves
if the water is too hot. The emulsion comes away more easily the hotter
the water, but clearly there are limits to how hot one can stand.
Once
the emulsion is free from the backing, scoop it out with your hand, or
if preferred, with the handle of a wooden spoon or similar tool. Immerse
in a second bath of clean warm water and gently agitate to wash off any
particles from the backing that may still adhere.
Arrange
the emulsion so that it floats gently on the surface of the water and
gently move it into shape. Slide the new paper into position underneath
the floating emulsion, bring the paper and emulsion into contact, remove
from the bath and place on a flat working surface. Or, remove from the
second bath with the spoon handle and arrange on dry paper.
While
the emulsion is still wet, move it into the shape you require, then place
the new print somewhere flat to dry naturally, or gum strip edges to flat
surface.
The
original Polacolor print should be exposed as normal, with due care taken
over the development time and temperature to ensure that the colour and
contrast range are correct. Emulsion lifts work best when there is a strong
visual link between the text and the image, therefore it is well worth
shooting subjects specifically for use with this process. Those subjects
which have an inherent transparency or translucency seem to be particularly
enhanced by the physical characteristics of transferred emulsion.
The paper, or other surface, you use to lay the emulsion on will also
affect the finished image. The texture of the paper will be absorbed into
the image structure, adding a new visual dimension. The most popular medium
for emulsion lifts seems to be rough textured, white 300lb watercolour
paper, as this dries very flat naturally, although it is very worthwhile
experimenting with almost any surface- even metal.
LIFT TECHNIQUE TIPS
•
Plain hot water works well, but some photographers add 'secret ingredients',
e.g. a few drops of ammonia based window-cleaning fluid, or a drop or
two of washing-up liquid.
• Emulsion lifting can be just a starting off point for the creation
of composite images. Once the transferred emulsion is thoroughly dry on
the new paper, you can lay further images on it. You can also use image
transfers as a base for an emulsion lift from another print.
• If you want to combine the emulsion with other images at later
stage, you can store it in water for several days until required.
• Remember that any colour in the paper creates an overall cast
in the image and will show through strongly in light or transparent areas
.• The clear emulsion from the ER print's border will form a natural
lilac-coloured frame for the transferred image. If preferred, the print's
white border can be cut off before immersion in the hot bath.
• If the emulsion breaks during removal from the backing, lift out
the fragments and reassemble on the new paper.
• Leave to dry thoroughly before doing any retouching that may be
required. The emulsion will darken slightly as it dries.
• Some types of paper may buckle after drying. This can be avoided
by sticking the edges of the damp paper to a flat surface with gum strip.
• Prolong the manipulation of emulsion on paper by wetting with
an atomiser spray.
EQUIPMENT
CHECK LIST
Kettle
for heating water
Two developing dishes
Watercolour paper or similar Wooden spoon or similar
Rubber gloves (optional)
Washing-up liquid, or ammonia based window cleaner (optional)
Gum strip
Lifts
and transfers can be easily scanned to produce high quality separations
for commercial printing and have been used in advertising for a number
of years. Transferred and lifted images are fairly stable over time, but
like all colour dyes, when exposed to bright light for extended periods
they will fade. UV absorbing varnish, or using UV absorbing glass or perspex
when framing will help.
USING TYPE 665 & TYPE 55
Most of the Polaroid peel-apart film packs are used for proofing, and
the product is only needed for temporary purposes. An exception is Polaroid
665 and 55, the types which provide a re-usable negative as well as a
print. Processing defects which go unnoticed on other materials can ruin
a Polaroid negative, which is also usually being enlarged.
THE
MECHANICS
Polaroid
peel-apart packs are processed by breaking a pod of reagent and spreading
this between the negative and positive materials by pulling it between
a pair of steel rollers. Pulling a film pack through the rollers too rapidly
can result in marks from small air bubbles and uneven spreading of the
processing solution. Pulling it too slowly is also to be avoided, as irregular
movement through the rollers will show as 'hesitation' marks. The condition
of the rollers is paramount, if processing marks are to be avoided. Processing
goo frequently gets transferred to the rollers, and needs to be regularly
cleaned off methylated spirits being a good solvent. Old 5x4" backs
develop pits in the rollers from corrosion, which may make them useless
for good quality work with negatives. Out-dated film will generally be
usable well past the date on the packet, but the processing solution eventually
becomes more viscous, and will not spread properly. Additionally, in order
to ensure even spreading, type 55 boxes should not be stored on their
edge, but always flat.
EXPOSURE
Like
any other monobath process, the development mechanism is delicately balanced,
and is designed to work at an optimum of about 20° C. When pos-neg
film is processed at temperatures below normal, the speed of the negative
is reduced more than the speed of the print, and a well exposed print
may yield a negative that is too thin. To get around this the exposure
will need to be increased, and the positive print will appear over-exposed.
An easier solution, when using type 55, may be to delay processing the
packet until one is back in normal temperature.
POST
PROCESSING
To
stabilise the negative after processing it should be put into a sodium
sulphite solution within a few minutes after processing which softens
and removes remaining developer and anti-halation dyes. Polaroid recommend
18% but this is not quite as critical as it sounds. 20% strength is easier
to measure, as you can dissolve a 500g. pack of sodium sulphite in 2.5
litres water (or 200g./litre). A plain bath of sodium thiosulphate to
follow is also a useful addition. Long washing is unnecessary, and water
warmer than 24°C. should be avoided, as the emulsion is soft and easily
damaged. The film base is thinner than standard camera films, and easily
torn or damaged, so should be given better than normal storage- a polyester
sleeve, rather than thinner glassine envelopes is ideal. The negative
can also usefully be given a permanising treatment in Selenium Toner (e.g.
Kodak Selenium Toner, diluted 1+20), which will also tend to intensify
it slightly.
NB
All Polaroid films contain a caustic processing gel which can cause burns
on contact with skin. Great care must be taken when using these materials.
Please dispose of all waste thoughtfully. For further information contact
Polaroid UK on (01727) 59191 and ask for their Advanced Image Tranferring
Guide.
Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman
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