New Polaroid transfers
March 26, 2008 by photobrea
I uploaded 6 new Polaroid transfers to my Flickr account.
Half of these were taken last summer on a trip to Mesa Verde and Santa Fe. Yes, I’m just now getting around to printing them, but at least I got to it before my next trip to the southwest in July. And, the half that aren’t from MV/SF, were taken even longer ago.
Why the extreme procrastination, you ask? Shooting slides automatically builds in a little procrastination time because you have to wait for them to get developed. After I get my slides back, I’m usually too afraid to look at them for a little while. I desperately want to believe that I got that perfect shot, and if I don’t look at my slides, then I can imagine they’re all perfect!
Once I finally look at my slides, I choose a day to print transfers. A whole day. I usually end up printing for only an hour or two (or until my Polaroid film runs out), but I don’t want any distractions or any excuses to have to speed things up. Polaroid transfer printing day is my block out the world and become one with the stinky Polaroid film time. Ah, bliss.
Since these blissful days are numbered, I’ve been thinking about my post-Polaroid existence. Digital still hasn’t grabbed me. Fuji makes an instant film that can be transferred, and debate rages over how to get Fuji transfers to look like Polaroid transfers. At this point I’m not really interested in Fuji transfers — they have to be peeled in the dark, which takes all the fun out of printing in my sunny kitchen.
I’ll probably change my mind when I’ve used up the last of my 669, but for now I’m not sure what I’ll do. Probably just get over myself and start shooting digital like everyone else. Perish the thought! 
4 Responses to “New Polaroid transfers”
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Quote: “and debate rages over how to get Fuji transfers to look like Polaroid transfers. ”
But they aren’t Polaroid so why worry about making them LOOK like Polaroid. Square peg, round hole and all that (although that does work, its called “extrusion”). They do what they do, so just learn to appreciate the Fuji transfer process for what it is. Beating on it to make it look different means you didn’t get to see what it looked like in its own right.
And by the way, you don’t need 100% dark. You can work with a dim safelight while placing the “negative” on the receptor sheet. And you should be able to roll the print with the safe light on. After all, you can leave the prints to develop on the counter top and it doesn’t matter which side faces up. That means the back of the negative sheet is lightproof. The safelight can be a simple red gel over a flashlight or some battery powered bike tail lights are bright enough. Red LED bulbs with Edison bases are pretty cheap too.
It just boils down to me not wanting to give up something I love so much for a, in my mind, second-best process.
I’ve spent 5 years perfecting my Polaroid technique, really getting to know the film and how to get good transfers everytime I print. The thought of having to re-learn all these things on new film that doesn’t work or look the same way, just doesn’t appeal to me. Something about switching horses in mid-stream.
That being said, I’d love to see how your Fuji transfers turn out. If anyone can master this process, it’s Mr. Young, king of analog photography.
Hey Brea, These new transfers look great. Maybe someone will come along and buy Polaroid. Of course, there will probably be a big price increase. If not, there is always digital. We’d gladly welcome you over to the dark side of the force. :c)
Thanks Dan. I just bought a new Holga so I’m going to stick with film for a little while longer.
I’m not completely opposed to digital. My little digital camera came in handy for documenting the craziness on Mass. St. this past weekend. I even took a couple of short videos of all the woohooing. Digital was perfect for this setting. I could shoot away and not have to worry about wasting film. Of course, none of those photos will win any awards, but digital definitely worked in that setting.
Rock chalk Jayhawk!