Viewing negatives properly requires a loupe or a light box.
Viewing black-and-white negatives before developing larger photo prints is a useful way of discarding unwanted images and selecting only the optimal shots. To view black-and-white negatives, you will need a light box or a loupe, depending on how much detail you wish to see before development. A light box is a flat, backlit surface, and a loupe is a type of hand-held magnifier that shows more detail and gives a better idea of what the negative will look like when printed as a larger photo. Viewing photo negatives is a simple process that amateur photographers can undertake.
Instructions
1. Hold the negatives only on the edges to avoid smudging them with fingerprints. Use this method whether you are using a light box or a loupe to view the negatives.
2. Switch on the light box so that its white surface is illuminated. Place the negatives in the center of the light box, where the most light emanates from. This will allow you to view the negatives.
3. Use a loupe to view the images in greater detail. Do this in a well-lit room. Hover the loupe slightly above the negatives to avoid damaging them.
4. Hold the negatives against a window as the sun shines through. This has an effect similar to that of the light box and does not require an amateur photographer to purchase any additional equipment.
Tags: black-and-white negatives, Hold negatives, larger photo, light loupe, loupe view, view negatives
