emulsion lifts
this week i finally jumped in and tried emulsion lifts. i first downloaded how-tos from the web in 1999, and they were so intimidating: 120 degree water. tongs. distilled water. 2 pages of instructions. it took me a really long time to get around to trying it.
but it really is pretty simple: boil water, place a photo (peel-apart film, polaroid or fujifilm) into a tray of the hot water until the emulsion begins to peel, then move to cold water to remove the emulsion from the photo backing. place onto a sheet of paper. that’s the jist of it!
the photo above was created using my daylab slide printer. the slide was created from a photo i took in chinatown new york a few years ago. i still need to fiddle and figure out how to reduce the rolling on the edges, but i’m ready for that challenge and am looking forward to making more transfers.
February 24th, 2010 at 7:59 am
I can’t help but make a smart alek remark here: given that in 1999 it probably took you 5 hrs. to download the how-tos I would say that you don’t want all that waiting time to be for nothing.
I love the results, including the rolling edges. It looks like you printed it on a watercolor-type paper (?).
February 24th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Yay! It looks great! Crazy, but I think I remember this pic. And I think the rolled edges add character, but I understand it would be nice to control it a little more.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:48 am
Beautiful and interesting process.
February 24th, 2010 at 11:24 am
It looks great! It has such an interesting shape, slightly curled up like that. It must be so fun developing your own photos - much better than boring digital!
February 25th, 2010 at 7:26 am
sounds like great fun- felt always like you- but i never got past thinking i would like to try this…(not even checked in the net for instructions yet , can you imagine when i will finally do it?)
the result is superb. cant wait to see more of them!
February 25th, 2010 at 10:57 am
i like the rolled edges, too!
February 25th, 2010 at 11:58 am
i’m laughing about the taking 5 hours to download in 1999 remark - probably dial up too.
this is going to turn into some more sheer deliciousness i know!