How Color Negative Film Surface Characteristics Affect Picture Quality

Daan Zwick

The processed motion-picture negative is considered as an object in an air medium. Because of the differing index of refraction between air and film, the surface can be optically important. The relation between smooth surfaces and Newton's rings is described. Effects of surface roughness from many sources are illustrated. The influence of printing conditions, including specularity, lacquer, and “liquid gate” is shown. A discussion of the effect of surface scattering on tone and color reproduction is given.

Print ISSN
Published
1962-01
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J16908