Polaroid Emulsion Lifts - Alternative Analog Processes with Ona A Rynearson — Jul 26
Learn the basics of the Polaroid lift process, with a demonstration that included tips and best practices. Prices are in sliding scale.
Learn the basics of the Polaroid lift process, with a demonstration that included tips and best practices. Prices are in sliding scale.
Learn the basics of the Polaroid lift process, with a demonstration that included tips and best practices. Prices are in sliding scale.
Dates: July 26, 2025
Times: 10am – 2pm
Level: All levels
Membership Price: (Members use discount code MEMBERS10 at checkout to receive 10% off)
Workshop Description:
Interested in alterative analog processes you can do at home? Polaroid Emulsion Transfers (or lifts) is the process of taking a Polaroid print and soaking it in water until the emulsion floats and can be transferred to a new medium such as canvas or watercolor paper. This allows you to manipulate and change the image. In this workshop we will demonstrate the lift process, providing tips and best practices, explain the basic equipment you will need and assist you in completing your own lift.
Transfers & lifts have been around as long as Polaroid has been, as there will always be people experimenting and exploring how far you can take a medium. The process of making a transfer has changed over time as the history and journey of Polaroid has changed. The process of a transfer is not the same as it once was, old film is hard to come by and the new film is much more variable and unpredictable. However, it remains fascinating to alter an image completely, essentially painting in water, creating new moods and new meaning to an image.
Participants will have the opportunity to create one lift with a provided Polaroid. However, they are encouraged to bring their Polaroid cameras or at least one fully developed Polaroid if they prefer (a recently taken used i-type or 600 film recommended).
About the Instructor:
Ona A. Rynearson (Mendocino->NYC->LA->Mendocino) @shesearchedtobelost is a photographer, ceramic and multimedia artist, and baker (of @happyhermitbakery). With degrees in Anthropology and Art History, Ona is drawn to the story telling of human connection. You can often find Ona carrying more than one type of camera and with their award-winning baked goods. Ona also curates Polaroid Emulsion Lifts - Alternative Analog Processes 5 @mendokid90 – a community archive of youth on the Mendocino Coast during the 1990’s. They delight and dabble in the unnoticed, obscure, and unusual - always seeking the balance of playful and hopeful and love analog and vintage approaches to expression and exploration in their work.
$5 materials fee to be collected by the instructor. Cash is appreciated.
Optional Materials:
- Participants can bring their own Polaroid camera to take new photos
- or at least one fully developed polaroid (recommended taken recently)