By Jennifer Clark
Why Try the Polaroid Image Transfer Process?
Have you ever
taken that perfect shot only to get it developed and find out that it
wasn't exactly the image you imagined? Was it overexposed or
blurry? OR are you looking for a creative alternative to making
traditional prints from your slides?
The Polaroid Image Transfer Process is an innovative approach that turns paper into canvas and your image into an impressionistic watercolor. The final image is an imperfect painterly-like photograph. The soft focus, the hint of turquoise along the edges and the uniqueness of each image are all parts of the signature of image transfer. In a digital age, image transfer leaves the final image completely to the will of your hand and revives the fine art of developing an image.
A Brief History
Although the exact discovery of Image Transfer has not been documented, it is believed that some time during the 1960's, a Polaroid researcher inadvertently left the negative face down on a counter. Some time later, he picked up the negative, only to find an image left on the counter. People started to experiment with image transfer and a new process was born. Polaroid now actively promotes image transfer by selling transfer kits and offering information on the process.
The Polaroid Image Transfer Process
The Polaroid image transfer process is basically separating an underdeveloped Polaroid peel-apart print and pressing the negative onto a receiving medium, most typically watercolor paper. (Wood or an unglazed ceramic tile can be used for more textured results.)
With your slide, a slide printer
(Vivitar Slide Printer, Polaroid Daylab) and Polaroid ER film 9 Series
(Types 669, 59, 559, 809) you can transform an ordinary photo into an
unusual image. Fill a basin with hot water and put the watercolor paper
to soak for about 10 minutes. Place the slide in the slide printer and
make the exposure. Once you pull the film from the slide printer, wait
10-20 seconds to separate the positive and negative. Take the soaked
watercolor paper, blot it and put the negative face down on the
paper.
Using a brayer or a spoon, burnish the back of the negative onto the paper for about 2 minutes. Carefully peel the negative from the paper and set aside to dry. You're done!
Sources for the Slide Printer
To get information on purchasing a Daylab Slide Printer from a Polaroid dealer, you can call Polaroid direct at 1-800-662-8337. eBay is a great source as well. The Vivitar Instant Slide Printer can be found on eBay for $70-90. The Daylab (depending on model) can be purchased on eBay from $150-250.
Courses on Image Transfer Process
The Cambridge Center for Adult Education offers a course on Polaroid Image Transfer. I have taken the course and highly recommend it. Although the course is not being offered in the Winter Semester, check back in the Spring. The Boston Center for Adult Education also offers a workshop on this process. Check their websites for more information.