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Preserving Photographs
Ideally, photographs should be stored in an extremely cool dark environment. Store photographs in the coolest place in a home that is not subject to high or rapid changes in temperature and humidity.
Always handle photographic prints and particularly photographic negatives by the edges. An even better option is to wear light gloves made of a lint free material when handling photographic images.
Do not expose photographic prints to bright light for extended periods of time unless the negative from which the photograph was made can be found and is properly stored. If a negative is not available, a digital copy file should be made prior to exhibiting the photographic print.
Because colour negative and some black & white negatives are made using dyes on celluloid, (other black & white negatives are made from silver halides which are prone to oxidation) these will break down over time even when stored archivally. This is not to say that you can not get a print from such negatives but they will not be at their optimum, it is advised to always make prints from your negatives as soon as possible and have them digitized and archivally stored.
What Exactly is a Traditional Photograph?
Photographs employ a process in which a medium (negative) which has been coated with various chemicals that react to light is first exposed to a light source to "take" the picture and then is processed using other chemicals that fix and stabilize the image. The negative is then used to create prints on paper that has been coated with even more chemicals. Given the number of chemicals involved, it should not be a surprise that no photograph is completely stable. Although it is not noticeable at first, a small amount of sensitivity to light is always present. Photographs can also react rapidly and rarely well in the presence of other chemicals.
Why Are they At Risk?
All photographs fade over time. Traditionally processed black and white photographic prints may last a century or more but will eventually degrade. Colour photographs, because of the various dyes used to create the colour, are very susceptible to colour change and fading. In particular colour photos that are displayed even in conservation frames, may experience noticeable colour change after only ten to fifteen years. Instant developed photographs (like Polaroid’s) are also likely to be chemically unstable and as a result fade more quickly.
What Environments can make these Changes Happen more Readily?
Photographs are vulnerable; heat, humidity, light, acids and mishandling. Because of their chemical nature, photographs also often react negatively to the presence of other chemicals especially acids and glues that are found in some commercially produced photo albums and frames. Even the oils from a person's hands, if left on a photographic print or negative, can eventually cause finger prints to become permanently embedded in the image. Because photographic images are found on light sensitive materials that cannot be made completely stable, bright light is particularly destructive to photographs.
Framed Prints
If displaying your precious images in frames, so that you can enjoy them, remember that it is important to make sure that your images are framed in archival materials.
Conservation framing is the best for keeping photographs in the best possible condition.
Most commercially purchased photo frames are made from the most inexpensive materials available and thus have extremely high levels of acid. As a result the acid from these materials will migrate into the photographs placed in them, shortening their life.
If a ready made frame is all your budget allows, at the very least, make sure that you use an acid free barrier paper between the image and the backing board, this is by no means a perfect solution, but is better than no solution.
Albums & Scrapbooks
Although memory books in the form of scrapbooks and photo albums are sold in stores across the country and used by thousands of people to preserve their family history, most memory books represent a witch's brew of problems that cause professional conservators to despair. The two most important problems found in scrapbooks are the material out of which they are made and the material used to fasten items into the album.
Most commercially purchased photo albums or scrapbooks are made of the most inexpensive paper available and thus have extremely high levels of acid. As a result not only with the scrapbook pages become brittle quite quickly but the acid from the poor paper will migrate into the photographs placed in the Album, shortening their life.
The soundest advice regarding memory books is that you avoid them. Storing family history material separately is almost always better in the long run than trying to group the material together in a single volume. However, storing images together in an album is a most practical way to enjoy your photographs, if you would like to create a memory book some practical suggestions include:
Do not use scrapbooks or photo albums found in department or discount stores. Rather purchase photo albums and memory books from suppliers that sell archival quality products.
Do not use glue. Although a few archival quality (non-acidic, non-staining) glues are sold, there is no consistent labeling that tells the average consumer what mix of chemicals are contained in glue, nor can past tests of commercial glues be relied on since manufacturers are known to change their formulas without warning. Rather purchase chemically inert, photo holders and insert items in these. These often come in sheets which have a variety of pocket sizes and are designed for a three ring binder.
Label items. Among the most frustrating experience of a family historian is to come upon great-aunt Lydia's photo album only to discover that none of the pictures are labeled. Great-aunt Lydia died in 1966 and today no one can identify the people in the photographs she carefully guarded. Always take the time to explain in writing the items in a memory book. Note who are in the pictures, as well as when and where the photos were taken. If letters are included that are not self-explanatory, for example "Lou" writing to "My Sweetest," write down who Lou and his sweetheart were. Among the goals of anyone who creates a memory book should be to bequeath useful information, not frustrating puzzles, to future family members.
Photograph Checklist
Store photographs in a cool place that is not subject to high changes in humidity or temperature.
Store photographs away from bright light. If you choose to display family photographs in frames use archival/conservation framing.
Always handle photographs by their edges. Better yet, wear gloves when handling photographic items.
When employing a professional photographer ask if they are using archival reproduction in the form of pigments and archival paper. (dyes are not archival)
Treat all photographs especially colour as a temporary medium and assume you will have to have them copied. (This recommendation has been made by Kodak)
Memory Books - a Checklist
Avoid scrapbooks or photo albums sold at most retail outlets
Purchase scrapbooks or photo albums from archival supply catalogs
Do not use glue or pressure sensitive tape in your scrapbook.
Mylar envelopes usually are the best way to store scrapbook items.
Segregate material by type (don’t store newspaper clippings with photographs as they are printed on the cheapest paper which contains acids that will destroy photographs.)
If you have photographs in albums that are not archival remove them immediately storing them in archival envelopes is far better than these types of albums. |
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