Introduction to Polaroid Emulsion Lifts

Saturday ,November 16th, 2024: 12 - 4pm

Instructor: Kara Khan

Dive into the world of experimental photography through the art of Polaroid emulsion lifts! An emulsion lift is the separation and transfer of the emulsion layer, the layer that contains only the developed image, from the rest of the film and Polaroid frame. Once separated, what is left is a malleable image that can be placed and manipulated onto another surface. Emulsion lifts allow artists to layer, distort, and create 3-dimensional objects from photographs, opening up a new world of analog image making.

In this 4-hour workshop, participants will learn the step-by-step process of emulsion lifts before transferring their own images onto watercolor paper. Additional Polaroids will be available for extra practice and other surface materials will be provided for anyone looking to get a bit more adventurous.

Participants are also welcome to bring their own developed Polaroids and surfaces to work with. Keep in mind that more recent Polaroids work best. While watercolor paper will be provided, stone, shells, leaves, thick papers, and glass are all fun surfaces to experiment with, so please bring some along!

Lastly, we will take a look at other tools that can be brought into this practice, as well as how other ways artists have used this technique for further inspiration.

All levels of experience are encouraged to join us! Materials will be provided by The Halide Project.

Workshop Withdrawal Policy

We recommend choosing workshops with care after reading our withdrawal policy. If you have questions about any of our workshops, please contact dale@thehalideproject.org 

Instructor bio: 

Kara Khan is a photographer and installation artist working in Philadelphia. Her research based work is rooted in collaboration, experimentation, and direct action. For the last decade, Khan has run Pop Up Polaroid, a Photo Booth and portrait studio, where she has shared the magic of Polaroid photography through her work at events in Philadelphia and beyond. As a teaching artist she has shared the value of historic and alternative process through workshops and demos at schools, art institutions, and out of her studio. Her work has been shown around the country and published in the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Magazine, among others.

This workshop is generously sponsored by The Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation.