How Do You Eliminate Scratches

[howard s]

i would be interested in knowing how experienced LF photographers deal with scra tches on their negatives.

[Andre Noble]

Opaque black for B&W negs.

[Doug Paramore]

Howard: Smaller scratches can often be fixed with either a very thin coating of Vasoline or with a product called Edwal No Scratch. If the scratch is really bad, the neg may have to be retouched professionally.

Regards,

[doug_2325]

nose grease works great and there is a free supply right on your face.

[jnantz]

you can also use a little grease from just behind your ear :)

[John Wiemer]

When I worked in a photo lab before the days of Photoshop, we used the grease from ones nose to spread on the scratched negative....similar to what Doug and John are doing. It worked better than any commercial product we tried. Please note: the finger goes on the outside of the nose, not the inside!

[paul owen]

Hi Howard, another slant is how to prevent them in the first instance!! I try and ensure the holders are free from dust etc, prior to loading. I use an anti-static brush and a can of compressed air - so far so good!! The choice of enlarger head is also important - a diffuser head is great at disguising/reducing blemishes on negs. Regards Paul

[Paul Mongillo]

Which side of the film do you put the nose grease on ?

[John Wiemer]

Paul....I always put the grease on the emulsion side, the dull side. That's where the silver halide crystals are located. Not sure if there's a logical reason to this, but it does work. Best of luck.