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40 Unchanging: Outcome of developing old film rolls?

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A bit of a random question ... I'm trying to clear out and declutter excess stuff, and have come across three or four old rolls of film. These are probably 25-30 years old, so it's a gamble whether the film will still have good images, and I have no idea what's on them. I'm finding it hard to throw them away (it's hard for me to throw personally meaningful things away), but on the other hand, it's not that easy these days to get old film developed and maybe this is just hanging-on behavior. I asked about the outcome of developing them and got 40 unchanging. Release them and let them go? Or develop them and it may help me release people or events of that time (which was a very powerful time in my life that in some ways I'm still processing)? I find 40 a little mysterious (unlike 59/Dispersing which I think would be a straightforward "let them go and move on" message).

I welcome your thoughts and thank you for reading.
 

Liselle

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I don't know anything about this, but a glance at Google brought up a warning about making sure the place will give you your negatives back, which might have to do with releasing things (or might not).
 

Liselle

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40's Image is about pardoning transgressions and forgiving crimes, but I'd imagine in a case like this you'd like there to be no transgressions in the first place. So I suppose make sure what a developing place will do and not do, which goes along with what the Oracle says. Only go down a path that leads somewhere good and nowhere bad, as best you can tell ahead of time.
 
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40's Image is about pardoning transgressions and forgiving crimes, but I'd imagine in a case like this you'd like there to be no transgressions in the first place. So I suppose make sure what a developing place will do and not do, which goes along with what the Oracle says. Only go down a path that leads somewhere good and nowhere bad, as best you can tell ahead of time.
That's interesting and insightful, thank you. I have no idea what's on the film but the last time I was actively using a film camera was during a few years when my dad was ill and died, and shortly after that when I was in a serious relationship that didn't work out, but that affected me in immeasurable ways. None of them easy. And that period has come up for me intensely during these last solitary pandemic years, because in some ways I never properly grieved or faced those things until now. I mean, I'll be fine no matter what's on the film, but it may bring up stuff — maybe things I need to pardon and forgive in myself.
 

Olga Super Star

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Hi Collector,

I also found an undeveloped roll which I am going to develop as I’m curious. I would develop them if I were you. The worst that can happen is the pictures will turn out void and you will have spent some (little) money on it. It could be a great experiment
 

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