ADVANCED MANIPULATIONS
Bleaching the Negative

Bleaching the negative of an image will allow you to lighten areas of an image for either color correction or total re-coloring.

What you will need:

• The negative of a Polaroid opened during processing
• Latex or polyurethane gloves
• Surgical mask
• Bleach mixture (1 part household bleach to 4 parts water)
• Spray bottle filled with tap water
• A fiberboard
• Clips or masking tape
• Watercolor paintbrush, size 02 to 0000

Before you begin, put the gloves and surgical mask on.

1. Prepare one mixture of bleach and have a rinse wash available.
2. Attach the negative to the fiberboard.
3. Using a watercolor paintbrush, apply the bleach to the negative starting in the biggest area you wish to lighten first. Repeat as necessary.
4. With a watercolor paintbrush, gently apply the bleach to a small area of detail. Repeat as necessary.
5. When you are finished, leave the image clipped to the board and allow it to dry.

Troubleshooting:
The film has dried and the image is too light.
The bleach mixture was too strong. Double-check your measurements and adjust as necessary.

The film has dried and the image wasn't lightened.
The bleach mixture isn't strong enough. Double-check your measurements and adjust as necessary.

Contents © 1995-2009 J. Norris unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.