A slide is a positive transparency image on film. It is the opposite of a negative. The image on the film is the same as the scene, not inverted. Slides were once the standard for professional color photography, especially for publication and projection. A slide could be mounted in a frame and projected onto a screen, or scanned for printing. The colors were rich and saturated, and the resolution was high. Slides were also used for presentations before PowerPoint. A carousel projector clicking through slides was a common sight in classrooms and boardrooms.

Slides have disadvantages. They have less exposure latitude than negatives. A slide that is slightly overexposed looks washed out. A slide that is slightly underexposed looks dark. There is little room for error. Slides are also fragile. They scratch, fade, and collect dust. They require careful storage. Despite these drawbacks, many photographers preferred slides for their color accuracy and sharpness. The film stocks, Kodachrome, Ektachrome, and Fujichrome, are legendary. Today, slides are a niche format, but they are still used by some photographers and collected by enthusiasts. Digitizing slides preserves them for future generations.

Slide facts

• Type. Positive transparency.
• Projection. Mounted in frames for projection.
• Latitude. Less than negative film.
• Color. Rich and saturated.
• Storage. Requires careful handling.

A slide is not the same as a negative. A negative is inverted. A slide is positive. The image on a slide is the same as the scene.