Special Film Techniques
Emulsion and Image Transfers plus SX-70 Manipulations


Emulsion Transfer Process

The emulsion transfer begins by exposing a 35mm slide to a sheet of Polaroid film and then submersing it

into a bath of very hot water. When the image starts to bubble, it is then put into a bath of lukewarm water,

where fingertips gently push the edges of the image away from the cardboard backing. This jellyfish-like

image, the emulsion, now floats freely and the cardboard backing is discarded. A piece of watercolor paper

is then held under the floating image and they’re attached together by holding the edges and lifting them to

allow water to flow over the emulsion and wrinkle it. When all is satisfactory, the emulsion and paper are

placed on a flat surface and burnished to eliminate excess water and seal their bond.


Image Transfer Process

This process also begins by exposing a 35mm slide to a sheet of Polaroid film; but before it is fully

developed, the negative is pressed onto moistened watercolor paper to transfer the color here instead of the

Polaroid cardboard surface. Since it does not transfer all the color, this image will have an antique-look to it.


SX-70 Film Manipulation

This technique is achieved by using Polaroid's 3-inch square SX-70 film and various types of tools to,

"smoosh" the color around on the film's surface, before the emulsion hardens.