Simplicity, Harmony and Balance

Melinda Carvalho
Huntington Beach, California, e-mail: mcarvalho@earthlink.net

all images © Melinda Carvalho

I began doing Polaroid transfers about 2 years ago after seeing the technique in Kathleen Carr's book Polaroid Transfers. I was taken by the moodiness and surrealism of the prints and knew that I had to try the technique.

I prefer transfers with bright colors and detailed images. My favorite subjects to shoot are landscapes and architecture but I have found that simple flowers and objects lend themselves to the transfer process.

After two years of learning and trying various techniques I have found a few that work best for me. I shoot all of my photos using Fuji Provia or Velvia 35mm transparency film and print them using a Daylab II slide enlarger. I am using both Polaroid type 669 film and type 59 film but would like to do some 8x10 work this year.

I have had the most success using Arches 140 lb. hot press watercolor paper and use it almost exclusively. Although I do like the detailed effect Arches 90lb. paper can give, I have tended not to use it because of the warping you get when doing "wet" transfers. Most of my transfers are done wet to avoid lift-off and are finished in a vinegar bath to achieve the brightest colors.

After the printing process I enjoy enhancing the images with pastel and colored pencils. You can transform a so-so print into something interesting and unique by adding a splash of color or by adding some interesting details. I find it to be the most creative part of the process next to actually taking the photos.

last updated: 1/02/2000 ... ... other web pages by Marek Uliasz ...