Polaroid SX-70
Soft integral-print detail and bounded tones.
This effect approximates a documented capture and processing recipe on an existing image. It is not a measured or exact reproduction.
Creative applications
- Soft instant-print interpretations of portraits and still lifes.
- Color or monochrome treatments without an imposed border.
Starting workflow
- Start with a well-exposed image. Modern color reference is the default; switching recipes keeps your other edits.
- Adjust Exposure before tuning the optical, response or texture controls.
- Compare with the source using Mix and inspect fine edges at the intended output size.
Key controls
- Recipe
Reference-qualified integral-film target. B&W / modern reference is provisional: the source does not verify stock and batch for each photograph. Switching recipes preserves other control values.
Default: Color / 2021 reference · Choices: Color / 2021 reference, B&W / modern reference
- Diffusion
Spatial fine-detail spread; 0 bypasses spatial diffusion.
Default: 50% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Print Range
Strength of additional print endpoint compression; 0 base recipe alone.
Default: 70% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Color Drift
Artistic cool-to-warm chemistry/scan bias, not temperature.
Default: 0% · Range: -100% to 100%
- Unevenness
Low-amplitude broad print variation; 0 off.
Default: 10% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Exposure (EV)
Trim input brightness before processing; clipped detail cannot be recovered.
Default: 0 · Range: -2 to 2
- Mix
Blend with the source; zero bypasses the treatment.
Default: 100% · Range: 0% to 100%
- Seed
Choose a repeatable texture arrangement; this does not animate the image.
Default: 17 · Range: 0 to 65535
Practical tips
- Judge texture at the final display or export size.
- Use the same source and exposure when comparing camera treatments.
Limitations
- Modern dated references only; formulation unverified; does not reproduce historical chemistry, physical development, scene flash or lost highlights.
- The B&W recipe is provisional. The color recipe’s 2021 designation dates a reference photograph, not a verified formulation.
- Existing grades, compression and clipping remain part of the input. Recipe fidelity has not yet been validated against matched captures.
- Brand and model names identify the inspiration; no manufacturer endorsement is implied.
