This photographic film captures images by recording the inverse of the colors and brightness values of the scene. Light-sensitive layers of the film react to different colors of light, creating a latent image that is then chemically developed into a visible negative. For example, areas exposed to bright red light appear cyan in the developed negative, while dark areas appear clear or slightly tinted.
This medium offered a versatile and affordable way to capture images in color for much of the 20th century. Its widespread adoption democratized photography, allowing more people to document their lives and the world around them in vibrant hues. The development process, which transforms the latent image into a viewable negative, also allowed for adjustments in color and exposure, affording a degree of creative control in the final print. This paved the way for countless iconic photographs and home movies, preserving memories and historical moments alike.