GON Reader Question
Do you toss all negatives? They certainly seem obsolete, but are also hard to toss!
All the best,
Anne H.
Response from Maria Gracia
Hi Anne,
II'm thrilled that you found the photo organizing tips helpful!
When it comes to tossing negatives, it's a topic that can stir up some mixed feelings. Some people feel that these should definitely be tossed. Many photos we took in the past are fun to look at now and then, but if there is no chance
we're going to enlarge that photo and hang it on the wall, why bother keeping the negatives of those photos?
Others feel that one should never toss out a negative (or a photo for that matter) as each one constitutes a special moment in time or has historical
significance... even if it's not the best shot...and even if you don't know the people in the photo.
While I respect these two trains of thinking, here's my personal opinion.
In my mind, some photos are absolutely irreplaceable. Perhaps you have a favorite photo of your mom when she was young or a photo of your grandfather when he served in the armed forces years ago.
It's up to you to decide which photos
hold this kind of stature, and which don't invoke deep emotion or have any historical significance that you, or others (like a historical society) may value.
For any treasured photos, I feel that having the negative is wonderful because that would offer the best
option for the most detailed digital scanning... and is a backup of a photo you'd never want to lose.
That being said, if I have a photo that doesn't meet the above criteria (which is most of the older photos I have in my possession), I personally don't hold onto the negatives.
Before you toss them out, here are some friendly guidelines:
1. Check for Hidden Treasures: Take a moment to sift through your negatives. You might stumble upon some real treasures – like that adorable
snapshot of your grandparents' wedding day or a candid shot of your childhood pet doing something hilarious.
2. Family Consultation Time: If you're on the fence about whether certain negatives are keepers or not, why not bring in the family for a little pow-wow? They might have some insights or memories that could help
you decide.
And who knows? Someone in your family may want those negatives and take them off your hands!
3. Do a Bit of Detective Work: Got some negatives that look like they might have historical significance? Take a minute to do a bit of sleuthing. You never know – that old picture of Main Street might be a rare glimpse into your town's past that your local historical society would love to have on file!
4. Preservation First, Tossing Later: If you're still unsure, consider digitizing your negatives before saying
goodbye to the physical copies. That way, you can keep the memories alive while freeing up some physical space. 5. Spread the Love: And hey, if you've got negatives that you think others might appreciate – like local history buffs or museum curators – consider passing them along. It's a win-win – you declutter, and
someone else gets to enjoy a little piece of the past.
I hope this gives you some ideas to consider!
