Negative Digitisation for Museums, Galleries & Collections
Archival-Grade 16-Bit Capture with 13–14 Stops of Dynamic Range
Liquid Light Lab provides institutional-grade 35mm negative digitisation for museums, galleries, archives, and private collections requiring density-accurate, high-resolution capture of analogue material.
Each negative is captured at approximately 9500 × 6300 pixels, capturing 13–14 stops of usable dynamic range and delivered as a 16-bit TIFF master file. The full density structure of the original negative is preserved without destructive compression or tonal clipping.
This service is designed for exhibition printing, publication, research access, collection management, and long-term digital preservation.
Archival Capture Philosophy
Digitisation is not enhancement. It is translation.
Our approach is based on controlled optical capture and tonal architecture preservation. We do not apply stylistic grading, automated colour corrections, or aesthetic reinterpretation. The objective is faithful density reproduction and neutral rendering consistent with institutional standards.
Every frame is:
• Captured at full optical resolution
• Rendered in 16-bit colour depth
• Processed to preserve highlight and shadow separation
• Delivered without destructive compression
The resulting master files retain the tonal information required for curatorial, academic, and exhibition workflows.
Technical Specification
Master Files
• 9500 × 6300 pixels
• 16-bit TIFF
• 13–14 stops dynamic range
• Colour-managed output
Access Files
High-resolution JPEG files supplied alongside master TIFFs for reference and access use.
Return of Material
All original negatives are returned securely upon completion.
Half-frame formats are not supported.
Workflow Control & Tonal Integrity
Liquid Light Lab operates within a Full-Stack Analogue Workflow framework. This means scanning is not treated as a generic output stage but as part of a disciplined image chain concerned with density behaviour, emulsion structure, and optical rendering.
Our scanning methodology prioritises:
• Shadow density retention
• Highlight roll-off preservation
• Grain structure integrity
• Colour neutrality
• Repeatable calibration
The goal is not aesthetic interpretation, but structural fidelity.
Institutional Use Cases
Our 35mm digitisation service supports:
• Museum collection digitisation
• Gallery archive conversion
• Artist estate preservation
• Academic research imaging
• Exhibition enlargement
• Publication reproduction
• Conservation documentation
Collection-based projects and volume digitisation are quoted individually.
Handling & Care
All material is handled within a controlled studio and lab environment. Negatives are scanned in their existing condition. No restoration, retouching, or physical repair is undertaken unless separately agreed.
Files are delivered digitally in organised batches appropriate for collection management workflows.
Commissioning & Enquiries
Institutional clients are invited to contact Liquid Light Lab directly to discuss:
• Collection scope
• Volume requirements
• Metadata integration
• Delivery structure
• Project scheduling
Tel: 03305 201771
archives@liquidlightwhisperer.com
