Värinegatiivisia

Värinegatiivisia is a Finnish term that translates to "color negatives" in English. It refers to photographic film that, when exposed to light and processed, produces an image with inverted colors and tones. Instead of the original colors of the scene, the negative shows complementary colors. For example, a red object will appear cyan on the negative, blue will appear yellow, and green will appear magenta. Similarly, bright areas of the scene appear dark on the negative, and dark areas appear light.

The primary purpose of color negative film is to serve as an intermediate step in the photographic process. To obtain a positive image, the color negative is then used to expose a photosensitive material, such as photographic paper or another type of film. This second exposure and subsequent processing inverts the colors and tones again, resulting in a final positive image that accurately represents the original scene's colors and brightness. This process allows for the creation of multiple positive prints from a single negative.

Color negative film was the dominant type of color photographic film for much of the 20th century and remains in use today, particularly among enthusiasts and professionals who appreciate its unique aesthetic qualities and the control it offers in the printing process. The characteristic look of color negative prints, often with a slightly warmer or more saturated tone, is a familiar sight for many. The development of digital photography has largely replaced film for everyday use, but color negatives continue to hold a place in photographic history and practice.