• Welcome to Photrio!
    Registration is fast and free. Join today to unlock search, see fewer ads, and access all forum features.
    Click here to sign up

physically modified negative, how? why?

but what would be the need to hold a negative in a high powered projector?
and could the localised warping be due to the edges of the negative not being held flat (outside of the holder) while being heated?
 
I would direct you back to post #40, last sentence in the post. Please read more carefully.
Can't say that I'm familiar with a holder that has scalloped edges like that, but I'll bet a penny that this has baked in an enlarger or some kind of projector for too long.
 
but what would be the need to hold a negative in a high powered projector?
and could the localised warping be due to the edges of the negative not being held flat (outside of the holder) while being heated?
This is actually a very good point. Why would you project (or mount) a negative? A positive image, yes- but for a negative.....hmmm....
 
Last edited:
This is actually a very good point. Why would you project (or mount) a negative? A positive image, yes- but for a negative.....hmmm....

Mural layout? - Use a negative and project on a wall/building such that an artist can trace elements to be painted.

A demonstration maybe? Not wanting to abuse a slide they actually cared about, possibly someone deliberately abused what they saw as an unremarkable negative to show off what happens if film is mishandled in the projector?

Doesn't need to have been a common or practical reason, but there are still plenty of reasons. I might even come up with some more if I can wake up enough to go make coffee.
 
I would direct you back to post #40, last sentence in the post. Please read more carefully.

Sorry.

You are of course, correct. I've just never seen an enlarger powerful enough to do this I guess. I have seen projectors do something similar though.

PE
 
Seeing this thread has got me thinking about something. I have a 4x5 negative that his curled up and brittle. Maybe it is nitrate film? did they make nitrate 4x5 film? Anyway, anyone with thoughts about how to print the thing? maybe cut some strategic incisions in it and smoosh it between a couple pieces of glass?
 
How old is it? Look up nitrate negative deterioration. that should give you a good idea. Until you know for certain get it away from every other neg and preferably out of the house. They will contaminate other negatives. Where I worked these negs had to be kept in a special fire proof cabinet and away from all other negs. If I was working with one I had to move all other Negs well away from that one to insure they were not in contact. Granted these were historical negatives so they were fanatical about protecting them. The fireproof cabinet was not fanatical. Once they ignite they really get going. One day I was allowed To go outside and light two on fire (not remotely of historical importance) to see Joey they burned. It was impressive.
 
Where did the edit button go. Joey has nothing to do with anything. Stupid auto correct
 

The OP stated that the base and emulsion look fine. This excludes cellulose nitrate or acetate base deterioration.
 
How old is it? .

MY negative is around 1950 I am guessing. Looking at some examples on the web I am thinking maybe it is not. There is no "alligatoring" or delaminating or flaking. The damn negative is just curled up like a kettle cooked potato chip and about as flexible. Sorry to go off subject.

NEVERMIND!