Through The Lens spotlights emerging and established photographers from around the world. The ongoing series is dedicated to offering unique insights in varying areas of photographic expertise including portrait, landscape, fine art, fashion, documentary and more.
Polaroid has launched its latest Reclaimed Blue 600 film, a novel film chemistry that was discovered through fortuitous experimentation. Developed by a young chemist at the world’s only Polaroid film factory, this unique chemical process resulted in a visually stunning blue film that sets itself apart from other duochrome or monochrome films that require dye to achieve vibrant colors.
The Polaroid chemist responsible for the discovery, Brian Slaghuis, credits the chemical TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) for its contribution in giving direction to the other 12 chemicals in the film to make the existing cyan color strong enough to override the other colors present. Polaroid’s DNA is rooted in experimentation, and Reclaimed Blue film captures that essence.
“It’s real chemistry developing instantly in your hand, no darkroom needed.”
“It’s really unique. If we compare Reclaimed Blue 600 film to duochrome or monochrome film, the way it works is completely different. When we make a duochrome, our black and white film system is used. A dye is added to the paste to change the white that is usually there into a new color. For monochrome film, the dye change lies in the negative layer versus the paste. There is only a single dye layer in the negative where normally there are three dye layers to create a full color image,” said Brian. Having added: “For the Reclaimed Blue 600 film, it’s not manipulating any dyes at any stage of the process. We use the traditional system for our color film and add TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) —a developer chemical from our black and white film recipe—to the color paste. It’s a chemical reaction within the paste that allows only the blue color to come through. It’s real chemistry developing instantly in your hand, no darkroom needed.”
All in all, the brand encourages photographers and creators to explore this blue chemistry, embrace its accidental quality, and see what captivating images they can capture. The release of Reclaimed Blue 600 film is another milestone for Polaroid, which has always pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with instant film.
For the latest Through the Lens, Hypeart had the privilege of conducting an interview with Brian, in which we delved into the significant laboratory occurrence that led to his unearthing of the Reclaimed Blue 600, his process as a chemist in the sole Polaroid Factory, and his general enthusiasm for the art of photography. Check out the interview below alongside visceral snapshots taken by Brian, Bret Watkins and Felicita Russo using the new film.
