Patty Grove |
|
Choosing and Printing Negatives
My home burned down and I did have some negatives in a lock box. I would like to replace SOME of my pictures. What cost effective sources are available to view the negatives to see if I even want a picture reprinted.
Then reprint the ones I want. I am not a photo buff I just would like to have the pictures again for my children.
September 01, 2007
|
|
|
Alan N. Marcus |
|
Patty, sorry about the fire
I think my idea will be of help?You can build a light box viewer and use it examine your negatives. This will be a sheet of milk glass which you can purchase for a few dollars at most any screen / glass / window shops. The material can be plastic. Using two or three under counter florescent fixtures place them on a table, place the milk glass over the fixtures like a bridge supported by a stack of books. You could also rent or borrow a X-ray light box from a friendly doctor or medical supply house. Now you can visually view the negatives. Inexperienced at viewing negatives? You can look at them by taking a picture of each with your digital camera. You could set your camera on a homemade mount and take careful and composed close-ups of each negative. Or - you can buy a flatbed scanner with an illuminated platen. This type is designed to make a scan from transparent materials such as negatives. Once digitized you can use most any imaging editing software and convert negative image into a positive. Now on your computer screen you can scrutinize and adore. Once converted you can store them on in the computer or make a CD or DVD etc. In any case digitizing your negatives is the logical approach. Many movie cameras will display an image in negative form. Thus a movie camera can be hooked to a TV and this system will allow viewing negatives as positive. Contact a local TV repair shop or security camera vendor. Set the camera on a tripod aimed at the milk glass. Place negatives on viewing glass screen Others may have better ideas. Alan Marcus (dispenser of questionable techno stuff)
ammarcus@earthlink.net
September 01, 2007
|
|
|
Patty Grove |
|
Thank you. I like the idea of the ditigal camera. I was able to purchase a light box for about $25 dollars. It has allowed me to get a pretty good idea of who is in the picture and even the occassion such as a birthday party. That is a huge start. Now I just need to figure out the best way to get them developed. I tried the camera but I must not being doing something right. I just got a very blurry negative. I appreciate your advice. Thank you for responding.
September 02, 2007
|
|
|
Alan N. Marcus |
|
Check your camera manual. Likely it has a close-up or micro mode. Likely the symbol of a flower in green etc. Such a mode will allow close-ups of the negatives. You should try again. Alan Marcus
September 02, 2007
|
|
|
|
Log in to respond or ask your own question.
|
