5 Things You Might Not Know About Photo Negatives

Disposable cameras are representative of nostalgia; void of multiple settings and buttons, these gadgets were simple in their own right! Most people remember one element about retro cameras: the photo negatives they created after development.

While some thought of their photo negatives as an intriguing bonus to their cherished photo prints, others weren’t aware of their purpose or what to do with them! Fortunately, this article explores the interesting aspects of these small plastic pieces of film and why you’ll want to consider keeping them.

Here are five things you might not know about photo negatives.

The Connection Between Negatives and Positives

Surprisingly, the science behind negatives and their development is quite interesting! Photo negatives are images in which darker areas of the image appear lightest and vice versa. This effect is due to the light-sensitive chemicals in your film.

Once exposed to light, the lighter areas darken, producing the reverse of how the images looked to the naked eye. And color negatives operate in a similar fashion! However, this type of film captures opposite hues to those displayed in the original image.

Negatives Are the First Versions of a Photo

While it wasn’t uncommon to discard these small brown photo strips, photo negatives are more important than most people know! Believe it or not, the prints you receive in photo orders are not the original format of your image.

Photo negatives are original, serving as the first generation of the image before development. The digital image derived from the negative is the second generation version, while the final print after development is the third generation.

The First Photo Negative Was Discovered in the 1800s

Though the name isn’t familiar to most, Fox Talbot was an English scientist and inventor who was responsible for pioneering photography.

Producing “photogenic drawings” in the 1830s, Talbot eventually came across the very first photo negative in 1835, when he realized how to obtain a positive image through further printing.

You Can Digitally Convert a Photo Negative

Surprisingly, you can digitize negative film strips! Converting a photo negative provides you with a clear, precise image from which you can create new physical prints. However, photo negatives can accumulate quickly, so it would be wise to scan and digitize them before discarding them.

Photo Negatives Last Longer in Cool Locations

Like most photo prints, negatives thrive in cool, dark locations; it would be wise to store them away from humid areas to prevent material deterioration.

Humidity promotes condensation on film, ruining the printed image on the negative and promoting mold growth. If you’re looking to store photo negatives, it helps to have a dehumidifier that can regulate levels within the area.

While you might not know everything about photo negatives, you are now aware of their purpose and how useful they can be! Although they are becoming obsolete, these pieces of nostalgia provide clear, precise images that you could preserve for a lifetime.

Preserving photos is just one way to cherish memories. At DiJiFi, you can digitally scan and store your old photos, negatives, and slides! Our picture conversion service specializes in digitizing photo formats and images in their highest quality form while creating easily trackable backups. Feel free to visit our webpage www.dijifi.com for more information!