Sis Anna Mae Hubbard Age 93 Year 1990 (negative scan replacing print scan previously posted)

This shot would likely be a desired addition to this church's archives, not to mention any living relatives of this lady.  It's a good idea, from time to time, to revisit and update one's portfolio.  Did so myself in 2011, updating a photo of a local landmark, originally scanned from a cheap lab print (2004) with one that I scanned some years later from the negative.  In my case I noticed quite a difference.  Best, LM.

Which is exactly what I am doing. All posted photos 1990-2003 are images of flat bed scans of silver gelatin prints (I made the prints). Small file sizes have migrated from hard drive to hard drive other the years as I changed PC's. The original print scans are long gone. Hard drive storage was dear in those days (like my first PC had 3 gigs and remember the floppies?).  A negative scanner was not available to me when internet began. Thus far I've replaced 20 flatbed print scan posts in the America folder -Anna Mae being one of them; and I'm posting some scans which heretofore were not printed nor posted -some, because to do in the darkroom was too challenging for my skills.

In most cases the negative scan is better than the flatbed print scan (as you point out); in most cases the negative scan is about the same as the darkroom print  and in a few cases the print from a negative scan is better than the dark room print made years ago.

Attaching the flatbed print scan of Anna which I removed from photo.net a few days ago. A 12"x18" print (18"x24" mat and frame) of Anna Mae which looks exactly like this scan has been on my wall for over 20 years.

I had just bought my first Nikon; just retired, and just starting to take photos. This was one of the first. I was on my motorcycle (no car in those days; best days of my life) on a Sunday morning and I passed a rural Black church. The door was open and services had just ended. I went in and ask if I could take a picture and a lady said "take her; She's 93". This was the only shot and I never saw Anna Mae again.

Twas a long time ago in another life.

The church requested and received a 12"x18" print.

Thanks Len for commenting.

And thank you for filling in the blanks.  Sometimes the photo alone is just not enough.  Clearly this chance encounter and photo has much meaning for you and you have just transferred a taste of that to me.  Anna Mae lives on through your photo.  Best, LM.

Thanks

What scanner are you using?

I had a Minolta Dimage Scan Dual ll but sold it. (dedicated 35mm)  I now use an Epson V500 (great for up to MF) which, due to my entering the digital age with my new D5100, will get little use from now on.  I just keep it for scanning my wife's recipes and any old negatives I wish to print that haven't already been digitized.  Best, LM.

Beautiful portrait of elderly woman!

I was using a Microtek since 2005 (not a flatbed scanner). It does 35mm and medium format). Has good resolution but slow and the software is difficult to use and too many options. Sits in storage now.

Couple of Years ago I purchased the Epson V700. The V700 handles 35mm, 4x5, 8x10 and slides. Expect it is just about like your V500 with more format options. After going into Digital I continued to shoot film so the scanners continue to get used.

Example of V700 scan attached. Very pleased with the V700 resolution -and I like a little grain. Resolution is almost as good as digital. Can't see how an Imacon Drum Scanner would be worth the cost for what I do. 

I do not shoot anymore -not since 2012, so scanning old negatives mostly from the 90's (and arguing with Crosely) keeps me occupied. Twenty three years is a lot of negatives. I've got thousands of negatives. I've scanned 35mm, medium format and 4x5 with the V700. This is my present hobby. Scanning makes film so much more fun and challenging to me than digital without the tedium of the darkroom. With digital cameras I always felt like I was shooting with a PC rather than a real camera. Thanks for your response.

V700 film scan ISO 400

Thank you for commenting.

Sorry to hear you've stopped shooting.  The girls with the guns will miss you.  :-)   Scanning old negatives is a great way to keep active in the hobby though.  I call my stash of negatives 'my old shoebox'.  From the looks of your sample you'll have no concerns about image quality, assuming it's there in the negative to begin with.  Good luck in that endeavor.  Best, LM.