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In
April 1972, Dr. Land of the Polaroid Corporation introduced the Polaroid SX-70
Land camera, film packs and FlashBar. This self-sufficient photographic system
was a technical marvel of the time. The camera itself is a true single-lens
reflex, closed into a compact package.
Over the years to follow, photographers and artists alike discovered that the multi-layered film could be altered with artistic results after developing.
SX-70 Polaroid photographic manipulation is the physical maneuvering of the fluid emulsion inside the actual SX-70 Polaroid photograph. Using a stylus to alter shapes, colors, lines, proportions, and mixing and moving this emulsion before the self developing process hardens, the exact photographic line is broken, creating the impression of a painting.
Other factors involved make this medium very unique and simple. A dark-room as in traditional photography, or studio as other artists might use are not needed. The "canvas" area measures only 8cmx8cm, and takes about 15-30 minutes to manipulate an image.
The difficult aspect of this medium is creating a good photographic image to start from with. There are few adjustments to work with, lighting conditions can be challenging, and composing subjects within a square format are all limitations to good photographic results. Chemical changes to the SX-70 film in the mid 1980's have also made manipulations more difficult to produce. Time is another factor that works against the artists, the image must be manipulated within hours, before the emulsion becomes hard.
Original SX-70 artwork starts as a positive image, whereas in general photography the negative is the original and from those, prints are made. This fact alone sets the process apart, original manipulated positive images can be exhibited, whereas original negatives cannot.
The Polaroid SX-70 Land camera hasn't been produced since 1981. Polaroid could in the near future stop producing their SX-70 film altogether as they have done with other products in the past. This would make the SX-70 Polaroid photographic manipulation a lost art, a tantalizing prospect to ponder upon.
