Joanne White

Polaroid Emulsion Lifts

Technique

A Polaroid Emulsion Lift is an artistic technique that involves cutting open a Polaroid, separating the thin, image-bearing emulsion layer and transferring it to a new surface. It’s a creative process and transformative photographic process, unpredictable and open to chance, resulting in unique works of art

Separating the emulsion layer is a delicate process — it becomes extremely fragile, requiring careful handling to avoid tearing or damage. And once separated, positioning the emulsion layer on a new surface is tricky. With much coaxing you can even it out perfectly, or allow it to fold and layer in more unpredictable and beautiful ways. Embracing tearing, or encouraging it, can result in a more intriguing image. They are incredibly unpredictable, subject to many variables, and impossible to replicate — resulting in each one being unique.

Camera & Film Details

Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera Alpha 1⁣
Film: Polaroid SX-70 Film (sometime new and some Expired)
Finishing: on Printmaking Paper, finished with Cold Wax ⁣

“Echos of Her”

Polaroid Lift of my beautiful Mom. She had the best contemplative poses.

⁣I took photos of her many years ago. I saw the scene as a drawing or painting, and wanted to preserve images to work from later. Finally, many years later, I started sketches and printed off an enlarged copy to reference. But as often happens when I’m drawing or painting, I get new photography ideas … when I saw the enlarged photo printed in my art studio, I wondered how it would look as a Polaroid Lift. I shot it in Black & White and Colour.

The film used was very old/expired, so it was difficult to separate fully in a Lift, and added more reside and texture. I really like the cracking effect, and the Black & White version reminds me of a fresco.

“Multiples”

Working with my own artwork (drawings and paintings) I created a series of Polaroid Emulsion Lifts. Each is a unique version and interpretation of an original artwork.