SABATTIER PRINTING
Images: (l to r)
Paintbrushes
Life's Memories
Deskphone
Images produced using this technique are popularly referred to as solarized by photographers. However the effect produced was first described by Armand Sabbattier in 1862 and is called the Sabbattier Effect. The effect can be used during the development process of either film or prints. It was employed very effectively by photographer Man-Ray (1890-1976), who is considered an important pioneer of contemporary photography. The effect is accomplished by re-exposing the film or print to light during the development process, then continuing development in the dark. The re-exposure to light causes a reversal of some of the image tones and the deposit of silver along those lines where strong areas of white meet strong black areas. I like making these prints for the mysterious qualities the Sabbattier effect imparts, and the marvelous silvery-grays which are obtained. Using the Sabbatier prints in sequence, and reversing the tones through contact printing creates a symmetrical universe of light and dark, positive and negative duality.
CONTACT: dfallen@surewest.net