Converting Negative Images

DirtyRat · October 28, 2009

With digital technology as it is, I wondered if their was a way to photograph a negative and somehow, through software, convert that negative into a picture?

My problem is, a friend gave me some negative "glass" plates. These are turn of the century glass negatives. I laid the glass plates (individually) onto a light table to photograph each one.

Now I have a dozen photos of "negatives". Any chance of turning these back into worthy photos?

Nikolai · October 28, 2009

DirtyRat wrote:

With digital technology as it is, I wondered if their was a way to photograph a negative and somehow, through software, convert that negative into a picture?

My problem is, a friend gave me some negative "glass" plates. These are turn of the century glass negatives. I laid the glass plates (individually) onto a light table to photograph each one.

Now I have a dozen photos of "negatives". Any chance of turning these back into worthy photos?

Have an example?

Otherwise, what's wrong with PS's "Invert" command?

Wil Davis · October 28, 2009

I've scanned large-format (5x4) transparencies in using a flatbed scanner, using the highest resolution possible, and then in the case of negatives, use something like PhotoShop to invert them.

Do you have a flatbed scanner?

- Wil

pathfinder · October 28, 2009

VueScan and a flat bed scanner are your friend.

colourbox · October 28, 2009

DirtyRat wrote:

Now I have a dozen photos of "negatives". Any chance of turning these back into worthy photos?

Black and white is relatively easy. Invert the negatives in your photo editor of choice, then shape a tone curve to set black and white points and linearize the tones.

With color I have to go with the VueScan suggestion if only because it comes with profiles for many color negative films (since you can't just invert those), but that seems outside the scope of these old glass negatives.

DirtyRat · October 29, 2009

Many Thanks

colourbox wrote:

Black and white is relatively easy. Invert the negatives in your photo editor of choice, then shape a tone curve to set black and white points and linearize the tones.

With color I have to go with the VueScan suggestion if only because it comes with profiles for many color negative films (since you can't just invert those), but that seems outside the scope of these old glass negatives.

Paint Shop Pro fixed 'em right up, with the "Negative" button! Guess this means I need to "learn" my software!!

Converting Negative Images

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