Last Tuesday, Miranda and I took a "Polaroid Image Transfer" workshop. THIS was SO cool. It's much more difficult than the Image Transfer using Lacquer Thinner but the results are SUPER gorgeous so once I can get my hands on an old Polaroid Land Camera (transfer process only works with 669 film), I will continue experimenting with this. (And writing long, run on sentences!) Most of the pictures I made did not come out so great but I have two that I want to show you. We learned two methods. The first one is where you take the picture, let the image develop for about 8 seconds, peel apart and bray the image onto a wet piece of bristol, watercolor, or some other paper.
This is BY FAR the best picture I made. Probably the best I've EVER made! In any medium! :-)
I'll be framing this one (after I make color photocopies so I can do more transfers with this image!)
The other method we learned was a bit trickier. Using a "cured" polaroid (at least an hour old), trim the picture show only 1/16" of white border shows and soak it in water that you brought to a boil. The image will start to separate from the surface and be this blobby, jellyfish like membrame. You then the surface you want to transfer it to in the water and manipulate it onto it. That is the tricky part. I tried to make this picture square, like the original polaroid image, but I had some trouble. It will definitely take LOTS of practice.
Hope you have something fun to practice today!
I was hoping that I could use some of my old polaroids that I removed from the peel and stick albums. I have some to practice with but are you saying they need to be fresher? Can't try it this weekend but it is on my "to do/try list".
Thanks
Sharon
Posted by: Norah'S | July 01, 2006 at 09:22 PM
that looks really fun. i keep trying to convince scott that we should invest in the equipment to do polaroid transfers, but he thinks i have plenty of hobbies. i really like the look of both methods.
Posted by: justjohanna | July 02, 2006 at 03:25 PM
OMG, that is too complicated for me but it looks like fun, though. I'm glad that you and Miranda can take a class together!
Posted by: Malou | July 02, 2006 at 08:17 PM
You can use Polaroid's that are old such as the ones Norah has. By "at least an hour old" I was trying to imply that you shouldn't take a Polaroid picture, develop it for the one minute and then try the emulsion process. It needs to "set" for at least an hour before being cut up.
Posted by: Michelle | July 02, 2006 at 10:33 PM
Wow, thanks for the info---that bottom print with the ragged edges is really cool too---I like that the edge isn't smooth, but adds to the overall effect I think :). It gives it an almost underwater feel. Wonder where Brad's old poloroid camera is..... hmmm...
Posted by: Jana | July 05, 2006 at 05:35 PM