negatiivikuvat

Negatiivikuvat, often referred to as photographic negatives, are an intermediate stage in the photographic process. They are created when light strikes a photosensitive material, such as film or glass plates, during exposure. Unlike a positive image, which we typically see, the tones and colors in a negative are reversed. Dark areas in the original scene appear light in the negative, and light areas appear dark. Colors are also inverted; for instance, a red object will appear cyan in a negative.

The primary purpose of a negatiivikuva is to serve as a master copy from which positive prints can be made. This is achieved through a process called printing, where light is passed through the negative and exposed onto photographic paper. The paper then undergoes chemical development, which reverses the tones again, resulting in a positive image that resembles the original scene. This process allows for multiple prints to be made from a single negative.

Historically, negatiivikuvat were the standard for film photography. While digital photography has largely replaced film for everyday use, negatives remain important for archival purposes and for those who continue to practice traditional film photography. They can also be scanned to create digital positives, bridging the gap between analog and digital imaging. The quality and longevity of a negatiivikuva depend on the materials used and how it is stored.