Photography has become so good that, for many amateurs and professionals, great photography on its own is no longer enough.
One of the most creative applications is photographic image transfers … the Polaroid Image Transfer technique. It is done by placing an image from an instant color negative onto non-photographic paper.
To start, you need a Polaroid camera that takes Polacolor peel-apart color film, such as Type 669, or any Polaroid pack film camera series 200, 300 or 400. Some professionals use a film holder that takes Type 59 single 4-by-5-inch film sheets. The process is the same, regardless of the size.
To start, I suggest getting the Instant Transfer Kit. It contains a 9-by-12-by-2-inch water tray; box of Polacolor ER 669 instant color print film; 16 sheets of D’Arches watercolor paper; a 6-inch brayer roller, and a Polaroid Guide to Image Transfer. The suggested list price for the kit is $39.95, sold at camera stores that are Polaroid dealers. For a free, illustrated 20-page Guide that describes the transfer technique in greater detail, call toll-free the Polaroid Technical Assistance Hotline, 800-225-1618.
Here are suggestions for transferring onto wet watercolor paper:
Pour about one-half or 1 inch of normal temperature tap water into the tray.
Begin the transfer process by soaking the receptor paper sheet for about 30 seconds, place it on a dry flat surface, and use a sponge, windshield wiper, or paper towel to remove the excess water.
As you pull the film through the processing system, developer spreads over the film, and image dyes begin migrating from the negative to the positive. After you’ve exposed an image, however, you peel apart the film prematurely, about 10 seconds after processing. Longer processing time leaves less dye for the transfer.
After you peel the film apart, set the positive aside and retain the dye-containing negative for transferring. You can transfer in regular room light. Simply place the negative face-down onto the receptor sheet as quickly as possible. Waiting too long before placing the negative onto the receptor surface risks drying out the dyes. Using your hand or a roller, rub the entire negative, being sure to apply even pressure for 90 seconds to two minutes. Excess pressure may distort the image.
Slowly peel the negative from the paper. Rapid separation often results in torn emulsion or paper.
Allow your transfer to dry at room temperature.
