Processing digitized color negatives
Apr 12, 2022 05:28:48 #
I have a bunch of color negatives which I photographed and saved as jpegs and RAW files. Is there a free programme which can handle the conversion into positives, including the neutralization of the orange mask ?
(I tried GIMP but the learning curve is a bit too steep).
(I tried GIMP but the learning curve is a bit too steep).
Apr 12, 2022 07:02:38 #
There is an app and I’m sorry but I don’t remember the name. I’m sure if you google it you will find it
Apr 12, 2022 07:32:52 #
RogStrix
Loc: UK
too late for you perhaps but Hamrick Vuescan makes a good way to scan and convert negatives images without all the phaff of converting... though I am confused how you managed to scan your negatives into negative files, as most film scanners will convert automatically?
Apr 12, 2022 08:01:30 #
RogStrix wrote:
...most film scanners will convert automatically?
The OP did say that they were photographed.
Apr 12, 2022 08:22:21 #
It's never too late... As I mentionned I took photos of the negs with my 24MB camera and a light calibrated light table, and saved them as JPEG and RAW files. I tried to convert them into positives with GIMP but I am not easy with that programme. I was wondering whether some of the other free S/W would be able to do the conversion and deal with the orange mask.
Apr 12, 2022 09:34:07 #
Apr 12, 2022 10:25:40 #
aflundi
Loc: Albuquerque, NM
jaredjacobson wrote:
Darktable has a module called negadoctor that does a terrific job of this.
I second using Darktable. The negadoctor module will subtract out the the base stock orange using a blank frame from the rest of the frames in that roll. It's easy and fast, and produces a very good result.
Apr 12, 2022 10:50:54 #
gmw12 wrote:
I have a bunch of color negatives which I photographed and saved as jpegs and RAW files. Is there a free programme which can handle the conversion into positives, including the neutralization of the orange mask ?
(I tried GIMP but the learning curve is a bit too steep).
(I tried GIMP but the learning curve is a bit too steep).
This is what I do, and I will try to not get into the weeds. I use Photoshop, so I dont know how it would work with other software.
After I open the image, I go to adjustments, and levels and select the white point "eyedropper". I then click on the un-exposed area of the negative. When I shoot my color negs, I make sure I have that portion of the outside of the negative that is not exposed, the area between frames. Once I do that I then "invert" it, I think that's in adjustments also. That will get you close enough to be able to work the color and other adjustments to get a decent image. I have been able to do this with several negs that are over forty years old. After you've done it a few times it comes pretty easy. Lots of luck and keep smiling!
Apr 12, 2022 11:13:56 #
jaredjacobson wrote:
Darktable has a module called negadoctor that does a terrific job of this.
Thank you your input. I haven't noticed this functionality when I used Darktable in the past. I'll give it a go!
Apr 12, 2022 11:14:45 #
aflundi wrote:
I second using Darktable. The negadoctor module will subtract out the the base stock orange using a blank frame from the rest of the frames in that roll. It's easy and fast, and produces a very good result.
Thank you indeed.
Apr 12, 2022 11:19:12 #
GreenReaper wrote:
This is what I do, and I will try to not get into ... (show quote)
Thank you for your input. I use PhotoLab 5. I'll try your method with the color wheel functionality, at least for the final color adjustments.
Apr 12, 2022 11:50:16 #
RogStrix
Loc: UK
IrfanView has an image inverter option and has a batch conversion routine, although it doesn't give you a lot of control. Oh and it's free too...
Apr 12, 2022 12:11:06 #
gmw12 wrote:
I have a bunch of color negatives which I photographed and saved as jpegs and RAW files. Is there a free programme which can handle the conversion into positives, including the neutralization of the orange mask ?
(I tried GIMP but the learning curve is a bit too steep).
(I tried GIMP but the learning curve is a bit too steep).
What post-processing software do you have now?
Apr 12, 2022 14:44:10 #
RogStrix wrote:
IrfanView has an image inverter option and has a batch conversion routine, although it doesn't give you a lot of control. Oh and it's free too...
IrfanView DOES have an inverter and will invert colors, but you still have to remove the orange base from the negative. Otherwise the colors are washed out if you just invert them.
Apr 12, 2022 15:00:42 #
RogStrix wrote:
too late for you perhaps but Hamrick Vuescan makes a good way to scan and convert negatives images without all the phaff of converting... though I am confused how you managed to scan your negatives into negative files, as most film scanners will convert automatically?
Nothing confusing. He says he simply photographed them and has raw files. Scanners dont record raw files.
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