One option is to simply use your iPhone and a light source to backlight the negative (below instructions tell you how to backlight with an iPad). Then once you find one you like, you can do a full res scan with a negative scanner:
You’ll need an iPhone and an iPad
Normally, you would hold the film against a window or a light source, then try to figure out what’s in there. Here is a much better way to do it, and it’s really easy! You’ll need:
- an iPad (or computer) to back-light the negatives
- an iPhone, to serve as the negative viewer
STEP 1: Improvise a Light Box
You need a light source to uniformly illuminate the negatives from behind. “Uniformly” is important, so unless you are into photography gear and have a proper light box, you must rig up something simpler. An iPad will do the job splendidly. If you don’t have an iPad, you could use your computer screen (or, push come to shove, TV screen).
Whether using iPad, laptop or TV, increase screen brightness (On iPad: Settings > Display & Brightness). Now you need to get a blank white screen. On iPad or laptop, open Notes app > New. On TV, find an empty channel. Place film negatives on the screen. This will light them from behind.
Step 2: Invert the Negative Image
You’ll use your iPhone to see the film negatives. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display accommodations > Invert colors. It’ll now display all colors inverted. This might be a bit startling, but don’t worry – you want to view the film negatives as positives, i.e. invert them.
On the iPhone, launch Camera app. Hold the iPhone above the illuminated film strip, tap to focus, and there you are! You will see the positives of your photographs.
The pictures look bluish?
This is because the white balance needs adjusting. To remedy this, go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations > set ‘Color Filters’ to ‘on’, and choose Greyscale. The display will now be B&W, but you’ll still be able to see the photos a lot better.
When done, remember to return the accessibility option changes to their original settings.
