Solarization



Solarization (also known as Sabattier effect) is done by fogging an image to light during development. The easiest way is to make a print and switch on white light briefly during development. You can also expose a color negative to light during processing and then printing it. Since color materials are more difficult to solarize, for strongest effect make a black and white copy negative from a color print or slide. Select a print with strong colors, lines and shapes. Copy the print on to black and white film. Process the film normally. Two-thirds through developing, remove the film and rise it in water. Expose the film to a white light for ten seconds. You can also use your enlarger for fogging the film. Complete the development followed by fixing and washing the film. You can now make the final print by enlarging the solarized film and the original negative or slide one after the other on color paper, but make sure they are in register. Place the solarized negative in the enlarger and make a test print on color paper. Assess the print and make another print and place it inside paper safe. Change to the original color negative or slide. Position the test print under the enlarger and make sure the new image is in exact register. Remove the test print and place the pre-exposed paper from the paper safe and make the final print. You can strengthen contrast when copying the original on black and white film by using color filters or if you prefer to solarize one color more than others, filter in this color during printing by placing color filters in the enlarger or dialing in required filter if using a color enlarger.

 

Recommended Reading: Darkroom Dynamics : A Guide to Creative Darkroom Techniques Book Description This popular book presents creative darkroom techniques in a step-by-step format. It includes multiple printing, montage, toning, reticulation, infrared film, high contrast, combination coloring, dye transfer, liquid emulsions, Sabattier, and much more. Darkroom Dynamics has the information and photographs to expand the the reader's awareness of the sophisticated images which are possible in photography today. Darkroom Dynamics has been written to be easily comprehensible to the novice photographer attempting experimental photography for the first time. It serves not only as a forum for the serious display of experimental and manipulated photographs but also as a comprehensive source on how to make these images. Presents creative darkroom techniques in an easy to follow format. Simple enough for the novice photographer to understand. Shows experimental and manipulated photographs and describes how to make them.