Bobby123

I would never take my film to any place that kept the negatives. It doesn't matter if the photos show your new puppy or your wife's backside, that film is your property and he should return it immediately after developing it. I would have a little chat with him and if that doesn't quickly solve the problem I would consult legal counsel. If you think there is something "personal" on the film that makes it more imperative that it be returned to you immediately so he can't spread them around or whatever. If everyone shown is above the age of consent and they seem to be participating willingly then there is no basis for any concern on the developer's part. Some people just need to feel important and powerful. My sympathies are with you.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Walgreens and similar enterprises now develop the film and return a CD of low resolution scans and discard the negatives. They also state that absurd policy up front which is why I use thedarkroomlab for all processing.

ELNikkor

I was shocked when I asked Walgreens to develop my negatives and give them back to me. They said they don't give negatives back!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Keeping the negs is common these days. I'm sure whatever the OP signed for when he got his receipt stated that.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I hate to sound harsh but you had no business taking 25 year old unprocessed film to the "drug store", especially if there were privacy issues, etc. If the negatives was discarded, it is too late.

Stuff like that has to go to a custom lab- there are several still operating. First of all they can do a "clip test" on a small section of the film to see if in may require special processing and to discover if, in fact, there is any latent image worth further processing and printing.

Of course, not returning negatives is a ridiculous policy- there is no logical reason to do that and it shows a total disregard for film photography- it borders on stupidity. If you have old exposed film or use film, even currently, stay away for thoses processing facilities and find a custom lab or do it yourself- it ain't rocket science!

A custom lab can process black and white film with aini-fog chemistry or push processed as old film can devalo fog or lose speed. Color negative and reversal films that were produced prior to the C-41 and and E-6 type processes, unfortunately, may no longer be able to be developed.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

When I owned a photo lab on several occasions encountered “adult content”. As long as it was not “illigal” in content, ie: child porn etc., we alerted the customer of the content And printed at their request. You would be surprised how many did not remember what was on the film.
As for the negatives, they should have returned them to you. It was your property blank or not.

Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

First, do not use drug store Walmart if you want negatives. They only print so there was probably nothing there. I mostly purchase Ilford B&W file and purchase a prepaid processing mailer to send it to their lab. You can order but what you get back is the negatives and negative scans to a CD. Recently used some Kodak and Fugi film. Sent it to thedarkroom.com. Great service and again you get negatives and scans to a CD and they will post your photos on their website for 60 days for viewing download.
I recently purchased a vintage medium format camera. It had an exposed roll of film in it. I know it was old Kodak film. B&W. I sent it to darkroom.com. It had 2 frames exposed. One was multiple exposed. You have to wind the film after each shot. I am a member of my local Masonic Lodge. The good photo was taken inside a Masonic Lodge. You can tell from the dress that the guys were wearing that it was from the 50s. Amazing experience.

Swampworks

Not sure I would ever use a service where I didn't get the negatives back. I'd definitely inquire a little more. Seems like if there is truly noting on them, then why would he even want to keep them?

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

It saves the cost of shipping the negs back. I suspect they don't "keep" them, they probably dispose of them.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

That's Not Right EVER......I always insist on owning the negatives and receiving them back regardless of the outcome.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

It one time I remember they did not return "questionable" prints. Do not know if it was morality or legality. You will have to ask those that developed the film.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

Why don’t you ask the pharmacy what happened?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

And just how do you go about doing that? Most of the stores like Walgreens, Walmart, etc. advertise upfront that you get back small scans, not negs.

BebuLamar

The negative is mine and actually that's all I care for I don't care about the prints they make. However, it's a common practice today just to save the shipping cost which I don't think a lot.

Nicholas DeSciose

The film-Negatives are Yours you have the absolute right to have them return to you. If this doesn’t happen easily it would be very worthwhile to hire an attorney.