Looking at positive previews of developed b&w negatives

I found out (accidentally) a way to see "positive" image

"previews" of developed b&w negatives.

 

In a dark room (lol), hold up the negative (preferably hung)

and shine a torch light on the emulsion side, as close as

possible (at an angle), and voila!!

 

You can shine the light on the other side of the negative

as well, but it's much more reflective.

 

Has any one else done this, or does the award go to me?

:P<div></div>

<p>Additionally, early processes was a negative overlaid on a reflective black background. Try laying a negative on a polished black surface. Sorry to report that you are not the first one to discover that you can preview a positive image in this way. </p>

<p>Tin types.</p>

<p>Ha! Sorry, Ashoke, no award today but good you discovered this well known trick. In fact, with some films of yesteryear, you could actually use a specific green light DURING development in the darkroom to see the progress of the development process, called "development by inspection". It uses a similar idea you've discovered.</p>

It is easier to see the positive image on underexposed or thin negatives. Just looking at them in room light at an angle will show a positive image. That is the basis of the tintype and ambrotype, a thin negative (a glass negative in the case of the ambrotype) on a black base.

<p>Been doing it for over 50 years. A well known characteristic...but glad you "discovered" it.</p>