Submerging your film in liquid might not seem like a good idea, but when done properly it’s a photography technique that can garnish unexpectedly beautiful results. Without any post-processing work, you can get a distorted effect with vivid streaks of color and interesting textures. Photographer Polina Washington is an expert in these “film soups” and describes the process as a risk that could destroy your work. “But, if even one image turns out well, it’s worth it,” she says. “As they say, the battle is worth the blood.”

We asked Washington to cook up some new soup recipes and show us the results. She dropped a 35mm roll in ramen broth, stirred another roll into her drink at the bar, and even soaked her negatives in water sourced from the less-than-pristine Neva River in Saint Petersburg, where she lives. Keep reading to learn more about her process, tips and tricks.

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