Fixing a negative

jzietman · 10-14-2009, 01:37 PM

I recently got some more film developed and scanned. I don't really know how this shot got so much exposure in bands, but I'm wondering if there's a way to photoshop some of the over exposure out. The color in the unaffected bits is so pretty, I'd love to see it corrected. Thoughts? Btw, posted image is scaled down, not full size

Nesster · 10-14-2009, 01:39 PM

you might try correcting color in the red areas, using a mask to keep from screwing up the good bits

jzietman · 10-14-2009, 02:38 PM

Any tips on the mask part of that? I've never used one before.

*graphicgr8s* · 10-14-2009, 02:38 PM

Looks more like a problem before or after the shot. Light leak maybe. Or a problem in processing.

*graphicgr8s* · 10-14-2009, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by jzietman

Any tips on the mask part of that? I've never used one before.

If using PS you create an adjustment layer and make your corrections so that the bad areas look good and match what use to be the good area. Then on the mask itself paint with black to hide the effect from the good area. It's totally none destructive and if you err you go back and paint with white. In fact you can use selection tools on the mask and fill with white or black depending on whether you want to hide or show the effect. You can also use shades of gray to vary the intensity of the effect.

*ramair455* · 10-14-2009, 05:17 PM

It looks likes "light leak" while loading the film in the processor.

jzietman · 10-14-2009, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by ramair455

It looks likes "light leak" while loading the film in the processor.

Meaning the lab did it? Even more reason to stop shooting color and go back to black and white that I can develop myself...

*Wheatfield* · 10-14-2009, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by ramair455

It looks likes "light leak" while loading the film in the processor.

Originally Posted by jzietman

Meaning the lab did it? Even more reason to stop shooting color and go back to black and white that I can develop myself...

It also looks like a film that was loaded, unloaded or otherwise handled in direct sunlight. This really is most likely caused by the user, not the lab.

*graphicgr8s* · 10-14-2009, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Wheatfield

It also looks like a film that was loaded, unloaded or otherwise handled in direct sunlight. This really is most likely caused by the user, not the lab.

I wouldn't rule the lab out just yet. How was the rest of the roll? What position on the roll is this shot? Beginning? End? Too hard to tell with available information.

*ramair455* · 10-14-2009, 06:43 PM

Do you bulk load your own film?
Is this fogging in the start or end of the film, or in the middle?
Are some frames worse than the one you posted?

It could be you; it could be user of the processor. I ran a lab for sometime and saw then fogging on bulk loaded film (cheap canisters) or careless loading of the C-41 film processor.

It you accidently opened the film back in sunlight, the fogging would be much worse. You would have several frames trashed from exposure.

jzietman · 10-14-2009, 07:16 PM

Hmm, in that case it might have been me. I'm pretty sure this was from the beginning of the roll. I usually try to load in the shade when I'm outside, maybe I forgot that time. Sad. Thanks for letting me know though, I know not to do it again!

*ramair455* · 10-14-2009, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by jzietman

Hmm, in that case it might have been me. I'm pretty sure this was from the beginning of the roll. I usually try to load in the shade when I'm outside, maybe I forgot that time. Sad. Thanks for letting me know though, I know not to do it again!

Not so quick, if it was at the beginning, it could also be the lab. Unless you do not know how to load the leader on the take-up spool correctly. I have loaded hundreds of rolls of film in direct light and open shade with out problems.

be careful with loading and be discriminating with labs; they never want to claim responsibility for botched film.

jzietman · 10-14-2009, 08:45 PM

Ok, I just pulled out the negatives. This was the second exposed negative, and the first had even worse over-exposure in a similar pattern. The third frame also has the same thing going on, but it's more spread over the image. After that, all the frames are fine, except there are some signs of this same overexposure around the bracket holes on top and bottom of the negatives for at least ten more frames into the roll, decreasing with frequency over time.

Thoughts?

HGMonaro · 10-14-2009, 09:01 PM

sounds more like an opened back, or processing machine (while the film is still rolled up). Why I say that is the film on the outer layers is more effected than the inner layers. A light leak would probably effect the whole roll (not always... I once had a M645 camera that had a light leak that only leaked enough light in direct sunlight to effect the film).

*graphicgr8s* · 10-14-2009, 10:08 PM

I'd almost wonder if the seals aren't going south on you. They leak in different areas depending on how the camera is held and pressure put on the back. What camera? Is it fresh film? Try running another roll or two thru it and take a look. That should confirm where the problem is. Use a different lab for each roll.