Even though printing in the darkroom isn’t nearly as popular as it once was, the popularity of shooting film has been on the rise for the past few years. Rather than printing traditionally, many photographers are turning to scanning as an integral step in their film-based workflow, perhaps before making an inkjet print. This hybrid method is championed by many because it benefits from both schools of photography: you get the distinct filmic look from shooting real film, along with the experience of working with an older camera and lens, but you still have the flexibility and control provided by digital editing processes. The link between the film-based original and the digital post-production is scanning. Even though scanning is a relatively non-creative process, it’s still a process that requires technique, accuracy, and meticulousness to achieve the best results. Here are some tips to help with your film scanning workflow.
Well Before Scanning—Filing and Storage
Keep your film organized! This advice cannot be stressed enough. Just like the way you keep files on your computer organized, it’s equally, if not more important, to keep your film originals organized, labeled, and protected. I’ve used a simple and effective method for my entire photo career, which involves cutting film strips, sleeving them, and storing them in plastic binders. I use Print File Archival Storage Pages for all of the different film formats I shoot; make sure to find the one that best suits your film. When working with 120, there are different options for 645, 6 x 6, 6 x 7, and so on, which help you to avoid unnecessary trimming. After sleeving, I store my film in a closeable binder, like the Besfile Archival Binder. Versus using an everyday three-ring binder you might pick up at an office supply store, the “archival” binder has the advantage of essentially being a hard plastic sealable box that really keeps dust and dirt away from your negatives. They’re also stackable and fit on shelves nicely, which is a plus once you get up to having 15+ filled binders in a small New York apartment.
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