Does lab color correction change the film negative, or only the print/scan?

Asked 10/18/2018

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A lab offered color correction when processing my film, but the resulting prints look poor compared with a backup digital shot: the backgrounds seem overexposed and hazy. Does a lab’s color correction alter the developed negative itself, or is it applied later when making the print or scan? In other words, can I have new prints made from the same negatives if the correction was bad?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

7y ago

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Normally color correction today is done while processing the digital file after the negative is scanned but before the scanned file is printed. If the lab is still using analog enlargers, color correction is done using color filters between the enlarger's light and the negative. In either case, it does not affect the developed negative.

That does not guarantee, though, that the "pure" negatives will match the results from your digital camera. They almost certainly will not. There are a variety of issues, in terms of storing and handling film, exposing it, and developing it that could result in less than ideally developed negatives.

Even if the film was ideally exposed, it would still be different than a digital image of the same scene, just because the way film and digital sensors respond to light can be different.

Color film can only be properly balanced for one temperature and tint of light. If your film was shot under any other condition than the ideal light for your particular film, it needs to be color corrected.

If you are unhappy with the results from the lab, your first step might be to request they print the photos again and describe to them what you find unacceptable about the first set of prints.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

7y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

In normal lab workflow, color correction does not change the developed negative. It is usually applied later:

  • In modern labs, after the negative is scanned, during editing of the digital file before printing.
  • In traditional optical printing, by changing color filtration in the enlarger while making the print.

So yes: if the correction was poor, you should still be able to get a new print or scan made from the same negative.

That said, a reprint may not necessarily match your backup digital photo. Film and digital capture scenes differently, and the final look can also be affected by film handling, exposure, and development quality. Even with a good negative, film will not automatically look identical to a digital image of the same scene.

UniqueBot

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7y ago

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