A quick and dirty way to view negs as positives

[Pylon757]

This is something I noticed a few minutes ago.

With your flat, dry negs out of the sleeves and with emulsion side facing up, place something black under the film, touching the shiny side. If you look at the film from a certain angle the film will look like a very flat positive.

This is similar to how daguerreotypes look positive.

I know not very effective, but might be useful.

 

[Darkroom317]

I've noticed this even without something black behind them. Just a certain angle in the light. It is quite interesting.

 

[nickandre]

It works particularly well with X-ray film while washing in black trays. I was quite impressed the first time I accidentally observed this. It's how tintypes work.

 

[Anscojohn]

I think it far better to learn to "read" a neg with a loupe.

 

[Harry Lime]

I have also noticed this occasion, but haven't been able to reproduce the effect on a consistent basis.
I'll try your suggestion.

But it is a very cool effect.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

A photog friend showed me this in early 1960.

I now do a low rez scan on a flat bed to make a contact sheet.

 

[fschifano]

Yep, that's how tintypes and daguerreotypes work. I first noticed it more than 40 years ago. Works better if the negatives are a little on the thin side.