Can X-ray photographs be developed as positive images?

[Reshma]

Perhaps this a stupid question but I am posting it anyway because I did not find a better place to ask .

When X-ray photographs are taken of the bones, we get the "negative" image on the photographic plate. Is it possible to develop the "positive"? If so, what will the image look like?

 

[imabug]

you can certainly take a radiograph and invert it photographically using a subtraction film. It's a technique that used to be used for subtraction angiography before digital techniques became standard.

You can also digitize the radiograph and use any image manipulating software to invert the greyscales and make a positive that way.

Doing so isn't always helpful or beneficial for reading/interpreting the radiograph though.

 

[Moonbear]

All photographic film takes a "negative". It's when you transfer the image on the film to photographic paper that you get the "positive" photo. With x-rays, we just interpret what we see directly from the film rather than taking extra time to transfer to paper, which isn't necessary.

 

[Reshma]

Thanks, Imabug and Moonbear!