Let's All Print (or Maybe Scan) One Negative 2025

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Don_ih

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This is a bit of a resurrection of an old activity that appears to have happened on here one time. See this thread. The basic premise is everyone who signs up gets sent one from a set of identical negatives and makes a print from it. The print is then scanned and shown to all other participants on this thread or posted in the dedicated Gallery.

I thought, in light of recent discussions, that it might be interesting to also allow anyone who wanted to scan the negative and digitally edit it to participate as well. That would not require a print to be made. The edited photo would be shared in the same way as the scanned print.

So, this morning I went out and took 17 identical exposures of the same scene. (I actually took photos of two scenes but I've chosen what I consider the most interesting.) That allows for 16 people to sign up to get mailed their very own 35mm negative. In making your final photo, any kind of manipulation you desire is allowed. You can make a straight uncropped print. You can make a severely cropped, ultra-high-contrast print. You can burn holes in the negative with a cigarette or grind it into the pavement under your heel. You're under no obligation to do what anyone else considers you should do - and you don't need to send anything back. So, no obligation other than showing a result.

Same goes for negative scans. You can show the output of your scanner. You can adjust any levels you want. You can layer it with a photo of a crocodile, if you wish. However you want the final photo to look.

I'll consider this the sign-up month (may be cut short if 16 people jump on all at once) and then I'll send the negatives. Then we should all wait another month or so for everyone to get it and indicate they're finished with it. We won't show any results until a majority says they're ready.

The negative is somewhat challenging, because it's a bit dense and the scene has some areas of greater brightness. You may want to dodge and burn. You may want to edit heavily. You may want to cut part of it out. You may want to bleach the negative. You may want to make a copy of the negative and print from that. You may want to give up - but you're not allowed to (not that anyone can stop you but feel guilty if you do).

No, you can't see the negative beforehand.

More information will be forthcoming if I happen to think of anything else.
 
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MattKing

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I participated in this a few years ago, and it was fun. Although in that case it was a darkroom print option only.
I'll give others a chance to participate, but if you get less than 16 signing up, please include me in the list.
One quasi-moderator point - please use the Private Conversation function to exchange mailing or email addresses - not public posts.
 

cliveh

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I wish you luck, but for me this a terrible idea. For a start your image could be something I would never have taken and your print of that would be devoid of any tonal concept you had at the time of pressing the shutter. Having said that, I know others will have fun with your idea, so good luck.
 
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Don_ih

Don_ih

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Clive, that was just about the least helpful comment anyone could make. There are things in this world that are for you and things that are not for you. You don't have to outline why something you're not interested in doesn't interest you. It's called "being a downer." Comment #5 shouldn't be so depressing.

And you know what? You wouldn't take the photo I did. You're not here.
 

MattKing

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One of the great things about doing this is that it can lead to wonderful "why did that not occur to me?!" revelations.
Thanks for starting this up (again) Don.
 

MattKing

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Thread title refined, at @Don_ih 's suggestion.
 

koraks

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I'll give others a chance to participate, but if you get less than 16 signing up

Same here, if there are 16(+) others who also want to play, I'll gladly make room. But otherwise, I'd love to participate!

A mystery negative, great! I love this kind of surprise - of becoming acquainted with the negative, of exploring the ways to render/print it and of seeing what others will make of it. I hope others will join in (and actually, I kind of wish that Matt and me will actually end up on the spare list due to the enthusiasm of other participants.)
 
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Don_ih

Don_ih

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It's also possible for me to send people a link to the scanned negative if they think my Epson V600 is good enough. That could allow for more people to participate.
 

Reginald S

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What a great idea, Don!
If it is able to send a negative to Germany, so please sign me in.

Best,
Reginald
 
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It's also possible for me to send people a link to the scanned negative if they think my Epson V600 is good enough. That could allow for more people to participate.

If I can get the scanned negative, I would be happy to make a FerroBlend print if alt prints are allowed.
 

mcfitz

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This is a great idea, count me in please.

Maybe I missed this info, but would we mail the final print back to you or scan the results and send them in a file? I'll be wet printing the negative, myself.

I've done something like this before with some of my photography friends, it was wonderful.

Each person offered a negative and as a group we chose one for everyone to print. It was a really enjoyable and constructive experience. Plus, it gave us the excuse to get together over a drink and analyse the final prints.
 

koraks

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I would be happy to make a FerroBlend print if alt prints are allowed
I think that's a wonderful idea and I'm sure @Don_ih is open to it as well.

would we mail the final print back to you or scan the results and send them in a file?
The idea is that you digitize the print yourself and upload it to a place where we can all see it. This can be the dedicated Photrio gallery for this purpose, but it can also be any other place or platform, as long as it's publicly viewable. Personally, I'd also like it if the image remains available in the long term (i.e. the link doesn't expire in x weeks or so).
For those who don't have a scanner I'm sure another participant will be willing to step in and help out.

Plus, it gave us the excuse to get together over a drink and analyse the final prints.
That's a great experience!
 

koraks

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Also, for those who are interested, I could share a 'raw', uninverted scan made with either a Minolta Scan Dual IV (3200dpi) or a Flextight Preciison II (5000dpi). 'Raw' as in no adjustments, sharpening, fixes, etc. If/when I recieve the negative, of course.
 
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Don_ih

Don_ih

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@Raghu Kuvempunagar - any print of any kind is good. Darkroom print, alt print, scan edit - anything.

@mcfitz - what @koraks said - whatever is the easiest way for you to show the print to everyone else. No need to send me anything.

@koraks - thanks for the generous offer. I did scan the negative but the V600 has limitations.

And anyone else so far who has said they'd join, please send me a message with your address.
 

Alex Benjamin

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