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Lloyd Godman
Alternative
Photographic Processes - (Hand
made photographic -emulsions and processes)
Polaroid
Transfer
Image transfer is a technique by which any colour Polaroid peel-apart
film ( any emulsion ending with 9 - type 59) can be used to create an
original print on a range of non-photographic surfaces. After the film
has been exposed in the normal way it is pulled from the camera or back
to start the development. However without waiting the usual 60 seconds,
the film is almost immediately peeled apart, the print discarded, and
the negative placed face down on a suitable receptor sheet. The back of
the negative is then lightly rubbed to help transfer the image and after
one or two minutes gently peeled from the receptor, hopefully leaving
the image behind. Due to the nature of the process each print is an original
and it is unlikely that you could ever get exactly the same result twice.
The timing of peeling of both the original film and the transferred print,
along with the receptor surface texture, temperature, and humidity, are
all variables affecting the final result. Listed below is a step by step
guide to the basics of the image transfer technique.
FILM
TYPES
Any
Polaroid colour peel-apart films can be used. These include:
Type 669 for cameras, medium format backs and the Vivitar instant slide
printer
Type 59 for the 5x4" 545 sheet back.
Type 559 for the 5x4" 550 pack back.
Type 809 10x8" sheet film.
Black and white peel-apart films cannot be used.
CREATING
THE IMAGE LIVE
The
film is exposed directly in a Polaroid camera or back creating an original
Polacolor image specifically for transfer. The transfer in all cases except
when using film Type 59 must take place immediately, therefore it is difficult
to work on location. With Type 59 this problem can be avoided as the film
can be removed from the back after exposure and taken back to the studio
for development and transfer.
WORKING
FROM EXISTING IMAGES
Existing
slides can be copied onto Polaroid film using one of the various Polaroid
or Vivitar instant slide printers or projected directly onto the film
using a conventional enlarger. Working with a slide printer or enlarger
gives greater freedom in image control allowing multiple copies of the
same image and easier experimentation with transferring techniques and
materials. Using an enlarger allows greater freedom for cropping, composition
and burning and dodging. To print from an enlarger a Polaroid back is
laid on the baseboard with a sheet of white paper in place of the film.
The image is composed and focused and then the location of the back marked
before it is removed, loaded, replaced and taped in place. Test strips
for exposure and colour are easily produced by closing the dark slide
by incrementally.
PROCEDURE
PREPARING THE RECEPTOR
Paper
designed for watercolour or printmaking purposes makes the best receptor
although a wide variety of materials including silk and velvet can be
successfully used. The main requirement is for the receptor to absorb
sufficient of the emulsion to prevent it being peeled away when the negative
is removed. Some papers can be used dry while others require soaking in
water. Dry transfers usually retain more detail although they run the
risk of emulsion peeling, while wet transfers give a watercolour effect.
It is important that the receptor is placed on a flat surface such as
a piece of glass or perspex. To avoid image blur due to movement the receptor
must be held firmly in place. With wet transfers the adhesive action of
the water is sufficient, however with dry transfers it is best to tape
the sheet in place. Excess water should be removed from the surface with
a paper towel, squeegee or windscreen wiper.
PROCESSING
THE FILM
The
film is exposed as normal and pulled from the camera or back. This spreads
the developer across the film and the image dyes begin migrating from
the negative to the positive, reaching completion in sixty seconds. For
the transfer process however the film is peeled apart prematurely, after
about fifteen seconds. This arrests the dye migration, leaving the negative
with virtually all the cyan dye, about half the magenta, and very little
yellow, resulting in a cyan bias to the final image. This can be allowed
for by using about 20 CC red filtration when making the initial exposure
or slide copy.
TRANSFERRING
THE IMAGE
Once
the film has been peeled discard the PRINT and place the NEGATIVE face
down on the receptor sheet. Pausing for too long at this stage risks drying
out the dyes. Gentle, even pressure is then applied to the back of the
negative by hand or roller to ensure complete contact. After about a minute
and a half the negative is gently peeled away in a smooth motion, to reveal
the transferred image. This can then be reworked and cleaned up while
still wet. To seal the image and prevent colours fading over a long period
of time a UV absorbing varnish can be applied.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
SUBJECT
MATTER
The
process has an overall 'dulling' effect, bright colours appear less saturated
while contrast is reduced. This can produce pleasing results, however,
it is well worth bearing in mind if creating an original image for transfer.
Due to the high contrast and colour saturation of transparency film this
is less of a problem when making copies from existing slides.
EXPOSURE
Although
Polaroid recommended normal exposure, in practice I found that images
for transfer required over-exposing by one to one and a half stops. It
has been suggested that using the film cold, (i.e. straight out of the
fridge) gives better colour rendition, however this will considerably
alter the development and subsequently the peeling times. In general CC20
red or CC20 magenta gives fairly reasonable colours in flash or daylight.
RECEPTOR
SURFACES
The
receptor surface must be sufficiently absorbent to take the emulsion.
In practice I found it best to pass all papers through a water bath before
removing excess water with a squeegee. Less absorbent papers are left
to soak for up to five minutes while more absorbent types require only
a quick dip. Some workers wipe down the receptor surface with alcohol
to make the dyes adhere better. A good paper to start with is either Silver
Safe 200g/m2 (absorbent) or Waterford Tub sized Printmaking Paper (less
absorbent). Successful transfers have been made onto silk, velvet, vellum,
rice paper, wood veneer and unglazed ceramics, so experiment.
WHEN
PROCESSING THE FILM
After
fifteen seconds development, the print is peeled from the negative and
discarded. (If using Type 59 film snip off the metal clip at the trap
before peeling). Waiting longer before peeling will allow more of the
dyes to transfer to the original print and give a heavier cast. If peeled
sooner than ten seconds, the dyes may not have developed sufficiently
to transfer. In practice I found that with early peeling the emulsion
is too fluid to transfer well and waiting too long risks the dyes running
out. Once peeled the negative must be transferred immediately or the emulsion
will very quickly dry out.
WHEN
TRANSFERRING THE IMAGE
Care
must be taken to apply pressure evenly to the back of the negative during
the transfer. This is best achieved by placing a piece of card over the
negative before using a roller or squeegee. Continued pressure will increase
the density but may result in a muddy image. Light areas transfer well
but shadows and blacks may require local pressure to give sufficient density.
This is best applied with the back of a spoon or similar implement.
PEELING
THE IMAGE
The
timing of peeling depends largely upon paper type and absorbency. Highly
absorbent surfaces may require shorter times, as if left for too long,
the negative may begin to dry onto the receptor and prevent successful
peeling. Conversely, less absorbent surfaces will require longer times.
A good time to start with is one and a half minutes. Peel too soon and
the dyes will not have fully transferred to the receptor giving a colour
cast. Care must be taken when peeling back the negative to avoid lifting
the emulsion. A slow gentle motion at a sharp angle seems to work best.
If the emulsion does start to lift it can be carefully replaced with a
craft knife before peeling continues.
RETOUCHING
Subsequent
retouching of the transfer depends upon the receptor used. Transfers with
a paper base can be retouched or highlighted with watercolours, crayon,
water soluble pencils, pastels etc. Transfers onto silk and other fabrics
can be further coloured using fabric dyes.
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