Polaroid emulsion lifts
Always be careful when handling chemicals. Read the film's health
and safety instructions.
- A contribution by Jane A. Linders |
The emulsion lift process is both deceptively simple
and complex. An emulsion lift is basically a Polaroid 669
print that has been soaked in hot water until the top emulsion layer floats
off of the backing. Once the top layer is loose, it can be
transferred and manipulated to a new surface receptor. This could be a rock,
a sheet of glass, wood or watercolor paper to name a few. The result is an
exciting mix of creativity, explorations and an enormous potential for
manipulating the image.
Capturing images
You can use any Polaroid camera that will accept type 669 film, but the
highest quality will be
obtained by using a computer and Polaroid's HR6000 SE/F digital film
recorder. This allows creation of images as well as capture from the web,
digital camera, etc., with imaging at 4000 pixels resolution...superb
quality!
Film
Emulsion lifts can be done with Polaroid ER film type 669
(most common), 691, 59, 809 and 559 as well as black and white Polapan Pro
film.
The print
It is important that the prints be completely dry before the emulsion
lift process begins.. Ideally it is better to dry the prints over
night, or risk marginal results.
The image
It should be noted that the image selected for the emulsion lift is
important as well. Simple, uncluttered images seem to work better.
Avoid images with excessive amounts of black, because the black
part of the emulsion can be difficult to "lift off".
Stability
The transferred images are fairly stable, except when exposed to bright
lights, particularly UV light. Use UV absorbing glass when framing
images and all direct sunlight should be avoided. I have
transferred images to rocks and left the untreated image-rock outside
exposed to the elements as an experiment and the resulting image was
completely faded just inside of a weeks time. Many users have also coated
image transfer rocks with UV absorbing varnish and although the image
remained more stable, Polaroid does not recommend leaving this type of
image/art-rock outside exposed to the rain and sunlight.
Ingredients
 | 35mm Transparency or slide Polaroid 669 pack film |
| Polaroid HR6000 SE/F Film Recorder and optional Pack Film Camera Back
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| Kettle for heating water |
| Watercolor paper or other receptor (rocks , glass, wood, lampshades)
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| 2 water trays |
| optional rubber gloves |
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The process
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1 |
Polaroid 669 film is loaded in a Pack Film Camera back to
the Polaroid HR6000 film recorder. An image is printed from your computer
onto the Type 669 film. Once imaged, remove the camera's dark screen and
pull the film out. Wait for one minute and then peel the positive from the
negative. Set aside this print to cure (or dry) for 24 hours. |
| Fill a tray with hot tap water heated to approximately 150
F. Fill another tray with warm tap water. |
2 |
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3 |
Immerse the dried Polaroid print face up in the hot tap
water for 2 to 4 minutes. When small bubbles appear on the surface of the
print, then it is ready for the next step. Different film requires different
time in the hot water bath. Expired Polaroid film requires longer time in
the hot water bath as does black and white Polapan film. |
| Transfer the print from the hot water bath (after about 4
minutes or so) to the warm water bath and gently push the emulsion layer
from the edges of the print to the centre using your fingernails. Carefully
lift the emulsion and peel it away from the backing. Throw away the backing
and place your receptor sheet (watercolor paper, rocks, wood, glass) in the
warm water under the thin emulsion. The emulsion is very fragile at this
point, so be careful not to tear the image. Gently float the emulsion layer
on top of your receptor. Hold the emulsion lift by the corners and lift it
in and out of the warm water a couple of times to remove the wrinkles and
stretch the image. Allow the wrinkle free, stretched image to lay on top of
your receptor sheet and lift the entire image and receptor out of the water
bath. |
4 |
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5 |
You can begin manipulating the image by purposely causing
wrinkles and tears to add texture and interest to the image. When you are
satisfied with the placement and manipulation of the image on the receptor
sheet, gently roll the image with a rubber brayer to remove air bubbles. Let
the image lift dry overnight. Press the image under a press or under a large
stack of books overnight to remove any lumps or waves in the receptor sheet. |
| Once the images is flat and dry, you can manipulate the
image further by applying watercolours, pastels, marshall oils and pencils
to further enhance the image. |
6 |
A brief note re the new Polaroid 690 film: although this product has many
advantages (proofing, development time latitude, vivid colors, and
tack-sharp focus), some users find the older Polaroid 669 film, with its
denser emulsion layers and backing, provides more dependable, stable lifts.
The thinner, more sensitive emulsion layers of Polaroid Type 690 film,
however, enhance the serendipity of emulsion lifts, as cyans and blues,
particularly, acquire a florentine or crazed surface unequalled by Photoshop
filters or hand applied chemicals. The aim here might be to achieve a
crackled, aged effect some photographers have previously achieved by using
dry ice, hammers, and brute strength. |
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FILM FOR THE POLAROID TRANSFER AND THE EMULSION
LIFT PROCESSES |
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Polaroid 669 film
A medium-contrast, medium-speed, color print film with extended dynamic
range, 669 Film is balanced for average daylight (5500°K) at 1/125 of a
second (as well as for electronic flash units). The reciprocity
characteristics of this film cause a color shift towards blue-cyan when the
exposure time is increased and a color shift towards red-yellow when the
exposure is decreased. |
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Specifications
| Film Speed: ISO 80/DIN 20 |
| Format: 3 1⁄4 x 4 1⁄4 in. (8.5 x 10.8 cm) pack film |
| Image Area: 2.88 x 3.75 in. (7.3 x 9.5 cm) |
| Finish: Glossy |
| Exposures: 8 or 10 exposures per pack/2 packs per box |
| Development Time and Temperature: 60 secs. at 70°F (21°C) and above
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Can be used with: Polaroid HR6000 SE/F,
Polaroid CI-5000S (with optional Pack Film Camera Back), or any camera or
instrument equipped with Model CB-100/101/102/103 Camera Back (these holders
are supplied by medium format camera manufacturers such as Mamiya,
Hasselblad and Konica), Model 405 Film Holder, or other OEM equipment. Also
works with the Vivitar Slide Printer.
Can be used for:
Polaroid image transfers and emulsion lifts. |
Interested? Here is another guide from the
UK And click here
for one from Here's How
|
