Karly Brecher

This set is by Karly Brecher (karlyrebecca on Flickr)

Karly shoots with a Canon AE-1 Program. She uses whatever film she can get her hands on, which is usually the cheapest. She took two years of black and white film photography classes at her high school and continued on her own afterwards. Karly says she doesn't consider herself a photographer at all, she just likes taking pictures! 

Karly started screwing around with film when her friend Maya dipped her film in water to mess with the colors. Most of the photos featured here were pre-soaked in bleach, salt and she reckons probably some other random stuff she found in her kitchen! 

A big fan of "happy accidents", Karly says she wasn't bothered when the photo lab messed up the framing of her shots. We think it adds perfectly to the images, especially with the brilliant pinks and reds.

Jessica Firbank

This stunning set is by Jessica Firbank (JESS_ICAA on Flickr)

We love the results she's achieved by soaking films in various liquids.

Jessica says of her work:

"

The experimental and unpredictable are important factors in the conception of my photographs. My work ethic is to breakaway from the technical 'perfection' often found in more formal types of photography. Through fragmented imagery I hope to substantiate a steady decline of process based approaches towards photography. 



For most people, analog photography is a relic or something their parents once used; an archaic technology now lumped in with yesteryear's sensations, like the rotary phone or 8-track tape player. Over the past decade, the number of analog film and manual cameras has dramatically decreased in favour of their digital counterparts. Digital photography has ubiquitous control over the market, leaving little to no room for alternatives. I believe strongly that photography as a medium should continue to evolve, but also not forget its foundation as an art form that existed outside of computers and digital printers.  While these tools only add to the wonderful complexity of photography, they can never replace the tangible and thrilling process of creating photographs in analog form.  Being in a darkroom, a space consecrated to creativity, is a unique and special experience that I find therapeutic. Unpredictability is one of the joys of film.

"

A selection of Jessica's darkroom prints will be exhibited at the Rag Factory, Brick Lane, London from 13 - 15 April 2012.

Heather Allen

This set is by Heather Allen (timetomurderandcreate on Flickr)

Heather likes to experiment with disposable cameras (so we love her) and she's achieved some very interesting results...

For these last three, Heather soaked the camera in Sierra Mist (I had to look up what this was, it's pretty much just 7Up to us non-Americans!) for a few hours then put it in the freezer overnight. A lovely, mysterious outcome.

Robert Ellsworth Tyler

This set is by Robert Ellsworth Tyler (vcr100 on Flickr).

Robert soaked Fujicolor 200 film in tequila, then boiled it in saltwater. What a great mixture!

Maureen Tracy

Maureen Tracy (jackieoh2012 on Flickr) has some stunning photos in her film destruction set. Stunning photos with some, um, interesting methods!

Ritz crystal film, expired in 2007, soaked in oxiclean for 45 minutes

Fuji superior 400 film, soaked in formula 409 overnight

Expired Kodak max 400 film, soaked in aftershave overnight

This is the one we would describe as the most interesting. The fuji superia 400 film used was soaked in urine, yes urine!, overnight then left to dry for a week before shooting. Bravo to Maureen for the idea but we don't think we'll be trying it somehow!

Helen Ritchey

Helen Ritchey (CLARITY; on Flickr) has a really stunning photostream. Definitely worth a closer look.

Helen's methods include soaking a film in vinegar for five minutes (pre-processing), boiling an expired film with baking soda and even modifying a camera with a homemade pinhole. Great techniques.

The final two photos are experiments with only winding the film on half way between exposures. They're from a homemade pinhole from a modified camera, 35mm Film, 200iso.

Matthew Davidson

These great photos are by Matthew Davidson (megalithicmatt on Flickr) Matthew soaked the film in dilute lemon juice, washing-up liquid, summer oil and salt for one week prior to use.

Zach Fudge

These amazing photographs are by Zach Fudge on flickr.

Zach says of his technique; "I shot the roll like normal, then I dropped the roll into pepsi and left it there for about 5 minutes. I took it out, washed it out with water and let it dry in the sun. Then I just took it to the labs like normal". (although the last one was in lemonade!)

As much as we love these, we don't think we'll be trying them just yet - Hannah's very reluctant to try anymore "wet experiments" just yet!