This is probably my favorite Polaroid emulsion transfer to date. It was quite a tough image to transfer, but I feel the determination paid off in the end. It just seems to have all the elements and properties that I love both about Polaroid film in general, and emulsion transfers specifically. It’ has quite an aged, vintage look which seems quite appropriate for the subject matter. I also really love the amount of details present, which are quite often lost in the transfer process.

Mingus Mill was built in 1886 by Sevier County, Tennessee millwright Sion Thomas Early for John Mingus, a son of John Jacob Mingus. Early completed the mill in three months for a cost of $600. The mill operated at wholesale and retail levels until the park service purchased the property in 1934. The mill was restored in 1937, but closed again during World War II. In 1968, the mill was again reopened.

Water diverted from Mingus Creek via a sluice (canal) and a wooden flume turns two turbines which provide power to the mill. An iron shaft connects the turbines to grindstones on the first floor and a wheat cleaner and bolting chest on the second floor (the latter two via a series of pulleys). Wheat or corn is first transported by bucket belt to the wheat cleaner, which is essentially a fan which clears the grain of dirt and excess material, and then drops it back to the first floor. The cleaned grain is then fed into the grindstones, which break it down into flour (or cornmeal). The flour is then transported back to the second floor and fed into the bolting chest, which uses bolts of progressively course cloth to separate the flour into different grades.

Aden Carver, who arrived in Oconaluftee in the mid-1800s, helped Early build the mill in 1886. When the mill was restored in 1937, Carver, then in his 90’s, aided in its restoration.

Fuji Veliva, Printed on Polaroid 669 in Vivitar slide printer, and transferred to Rives BFK etching paper.

I’ll be out of town for the next few days, but I’ve left some goodies to pop up while I’m gone (assuming that goes as planned).

Tags: 669 architecture color emulsion transfer film mingus mill north carolina polaroid

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