Peony Emulsion Lift

The original PX scan of this shot is in the previous post below.

After Impossible announced that their PX black & white films could be used for emulsion lifts, I was intrigued. The original Polaroid 600 format of film could never be separated into its' components to extract the emulsion, however Impossible's new method of manufacturing film in the old 600 format has allowed this to be possible. It's a pretty exciting advancement for instant film if you're a film nerd like me.

Aside from being an exciting new format for instant film, lifting the emulsion layer from a PX shot stops the development process, halting the deadly 'killer crystal' phenomenon which has affected all my other shots using the First Flush edition of the PX600 film. From now on I'll be shooting with PX with the aim to do emulsion lifts within 3 - 6 hours after development to avoid any killer crystal degradation. As a point of comparison, the other shot in the peony post below has now almost entirely disappeared from killer crystal.

The method is simple but time consuming. Good tutorials on this method can be found on the Impossible site here or on Photo Jojo here.

PX Peonies

After the results of my last set of PX 600 images using the First Flush edition and the degradation I noticed over the last 2 months, I've done another batch of these gorgeous peony roses, with the aim to do emulsion lifts with them. It'll be my first attempt at emulsion lifts using any Impossible film and it's quite exciting. The added pressure of having images that I already like in their 600 format makes the process quite nerve wracking, I hope I don't ruin in the emulsions in the process, but I'll be doing a test one to start. If it all goes well I'll blog about it here, if not, well... we always have these scans to prove the originals existed. Wish me luck...

Adventures in Monochrome

A first run experiment with Impossible's new PX film. Loving the depth of the blacks, but I'm getting a strange blue tint coming through the darkest areas. Not sure how this will affect the image over time as it continues, but this is the challenge and fun of experimenting with new materials.
This was shot on Impossible PX600, First Flush edition.

Note 6 months on: Both images are almost entirely destroyed from killer crystal.

Sweet dreams

My best friend in the whole world has the sweetest cat (apart from mine, obviously) and the cutest pillowcases. Her cat's name is Bil-lee and the pillowcases are by Miranda July and feature dreamy messages which I just can't resist. You can get your hands on them here.

High tea in London

Our final English afternoon tea in London, prepared by our amazing friends who share our love for macaroons and freshly baked scones. It was absolutely the best way to spend an afternoon before getting on a plane for 24 hours.

Alhumbra chairs, Granada

Marrakech lanterns

Lanterns in Marrakech. I wanted to buy them all.

Marrakech

Oranges from the Djemma El Fna and cool green tiles from the Cyberpark, Marrakech.

Marrakech oasis

The Diner, Shoreditch

A favourite hangout in London. Amazing burgers, milkshakes and even better soundtrack of 80s music. I feel as if the waitresses should all be on rollerskates. If they were, I would work here in a heartbeat.

Tulip florals

A weekend in the country...

A weekend in the English countryside visiting family, including this little cutie, Heath. He is just bursting with character.

Lunch at Brixton Market

Lunch with friends at Brixton Market. The most warming pea and mint soup with rye bread. We ate seated on wooden crates covered with gorgeous gingham tablecloths.

Portobello Road, London

Afternoon tea with friends

London has made me want to use sugar cubes in my tea and coffee forever.