I have several negatives I like from the period when I was just learning to tray develop sheet film that have minor scratches. Not all the way through the emulsion, but enough to show on an 11x14 when viewed close up. Anybody know of any way to "fill in" this kind of scratch, or otherwise make them less visible on an enlargement?

-- John Sarsgard (Endive4U@aol.com), January 05, 1999

Answers

Wash your hands. Rub your fingertip on your nose. Gently rub your fingertip on the scratch. Print the negative. Wash the negative. Let the flames begin!

-- Tim Brown (brownt@ase.com), January 07, 1999.

A little oil off you face/nose works great. I've salvaged many negatives that way. The better way of course is to use a diffuser enlarger. They don't show scratches as much as condensers do.

-- Christopher H. Esser (esserc@stricom.army.mil), January 11, 1999.

the most permanent way is to actually scratch or stiple the base side with a sharp pointed object, this creates "density", but I would practice alot on some throw away negatives first. Once you get the hang of it, it works really well.

-- mark lindsey (lindseygraves@msn.com), January 12, 1999.

Nose grease works great. Be sure ot clean the negative afterward with some film cleaner.

-- Gene Crumpler (nikonguy@emji.net), January 22, 1999.

As a pro photojournalist I had to deal with this problem several times. I have some vaseline in my darkroom and I use it with great succes in minor scratches. You just have to take a very small quantity with your finger and pass it facing the emulsion for two or three times. You will be surprised with the results. Just keep the quantity small otherways you will have a small decrease in the detail. Clean the film after the printing.

-- Yiannis Yiatilis (yiatilis@hotmail.com), April 06, 1999.

Minor Scratches

I feel silly for not having thought of "Nose Oil" and it would seem the perfect answer. For many years I have used Edwal NO-Scratch, when I have negatives with even larger scratches. It definitely takes out small scratches. Guess I'll have to give no more money to Edwal. Thank you, all, very much.

-- H. David Huffman (craptalk@ix.netcom.com), May 12, 1999.