how it works

shooting

film manipulation

darkroom
techniques

manipulating SX-70 film for artistic effects

After exposure, Time-Zero, or SX-70 film can be rubbed and manipulated with blunt objects ranging form a wooden stylus to dental tools. This manipulation interrupts the development process, altering the color and blurring the lines of the image. This presents a wonderful opportunity to bring your hands into the imaging process.

The unique qualities of SX-70 film allow for this manipulation. Similar instant films, such as Spectra and 600 plus, have different development characteristics and respond differently to this type of tampering. The advantage to SX-70 is that the emulsion remains pliable longer, giving the photographer more time to manipulate the image. Polaroid has however recently embraced image manipulation with their new product "Alter Image", an integral film with a matte finish--meant to be drawn on for a personal touch.

Most photographers allow the image to develop for about 15 seconds before beginning their manipulations. Once they see the outlines of the image, they can make choices about which areas to work on. The variables an image manipulation include the choice of the reworking tool, how much pressure you apply with it, and how much of the image area you choose to work over. Some photographers freeze recently developed images, which they can then thaw and rework later. I have found a blowdryer to be a great way of quickly bringing the frozen emulsion back up to a warm, workable temperature.

I have found that very blunt objects and gentle pressure will make the most subtle and pleasing effects. Busy backgrounds lend themsleves well to the effect; stark seamless backdrops or clear sky lmake the manipulation in those areas seem overdone and cliche.

Try anything that applies pressure to the developing emulsion. I have had success with manual typewriters to put text into the image.

For more information, Polaroid has an excellent "how-to" page on SX-70 manipulation.

Caution: In experimenting with SX-70 manipulations, becareful to aviod contact with the Polaroid edvelper gel while it is still wet. Inparticluar, do not touch your eyes if you have been handling a developing Polaroid image. I f you somehow get wet developer in your eyes, flush them with water continously for 15 minutes and immediately seek medical attention. Polaroid also strongly recommends that you wear tight fitting surgical gloves when manipulating images. However, if your skin is exposed to the gel, wipe the develkoper off gently, and then wash your skin thoroughly with plain water. You should also keep wet developer out of reach of chlidren and animals.