Remove emulsion layer from a fiber print

Pieter12

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• May 10, 2021

• #1

Is it possible to remove the emulsion layer from a fiber-base silver gelatin print, like you can with a Polaroid? I want to be able to transfer and manipulate the image.

 

koraks

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• May 11, 2021

• #2

Not really, in my experience. It tends to flake very very badly if you soften it enough to detach from the baryta base.

 

MattKing

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• May 11, 2021

• #3

I don't know that you would have more success, but you might try with an RC print - perhaps the heavier weight Ilford Portfolio paper?

 

AgX

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• May 11, 2021

• #4

koraks said:

Not really, in my experience. It tends to flake very very badly if you soften it enough to detach from the baryta base.

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Have you tried hardening the emulsion before?

 

koraks

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• May 11, 2021

• #5

No, I haven't, mainly because my hypothesis is that the release process doesn't work because the emulsion on today's papers is already hardened to a large extent. For example the Adox MCC paper I use most of the time easily withstands wet times of 2-3 days without damage to the emulsion.