Since the invention of photography (in the 1830s), there have been several different photographic processes and materials used to create the actual print.
As time passes, photographs begin to show signs of deterioration. This is more apparent in older photographs such as the one inherited from our parents and grandparents. However, time is not the only cause of deterioration. Our mere handling of photographs causes damage, due to natural oils in our fingertips. Other factors such as dust, pollution, improper storage, high or fluctuating temperature, the photographic process that was used, and the materials used to create a print are the real culprits in deterioration. The key to preserving your precious photographs, for as long as possible, is to handle them as little as possible, place them in non-damaging containers, and store them in the coolest environment with the least fluctuation in the temperature.
Storage
The ideal place for storing both negatives and photographs is a fireproof, heat-resistant container or in a safety deposit box at the bank. While this might be possible for negatives, photographs are made to be displayed either in frames or in photo albums (or in that box at the back of the closet).
In choosing materials to use for storage of your photographs, it is essential that all products are of archival or preservation quality. However, be suspicious when manufacturers use these terms as they are often used for products that aren’t really archival or of preservation quality. Instead items such as the following should be used:
- Plastics that are made of polyester film (most commonly called by brand name "Mylar®"), polypropylene or polyethylene
- Papers that are made from durable & chemically stable materials, lignin-free ("acid-free"): pH = 7.5/8.5 range.
- Look for “glue-sticks” or other adhesives that are made from paste (non-animal products) and that are acid-free and washable. Glues made from animal parts don’t age well and damage your photos.
Don’t use items that have one or more of the following:
- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Unidentified plastics (such as grocery and dry cleaning bags or storage containers such as Tupperware® or Rubbermaid® products)
- Papers, folders, boxes, etc. with high acid content (acid content can be checked by using a pH pen
- Glassine envelopes (a nearly transparent, resilient glazed paper)
- Brown kraft paper envelopes
- Newsprint and other low-quality, wood pulp products
- Pressure-sensitive tape (such as Scotch ™ tape and similar products)
- Rubberbands or paperclips
When you have placed the photographs or negatives in their archival sleeves, envelopes or albums, make sure that the following is done in order to store them properly:
- Store upright and not flat.
This will prevent photographs from sticking to each other as they would if they lay on top of each other.
- Store color photographs separately from the black and white photographs.
This will prevent any further deterioration that may be caused by the mixture of the different chemicals used in developing color and black and white photographs.
- Keep negatives stored separately from photographs.
Not only will this assure that at least one form of the image will survive an emergency, it also will help prevent the mixing of the different chemicals used during the development procedure.
Climate
Once the negatives and photographs are stored properly, it is important that they are kept in an environment that is cool and dry, away from sunlight. The cooler the temperature, the longer the photo will last. Ideally the temperature should never exceed an average 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) and relative humidity of 20 - 50%. If the humidity is over 70% for several days, the photos may become distorted and mold may form especially in warm weather.
For an eye-opening look of the effect of temperature and humidity on longevity see the Image Permanence Institute’s Photograph Preservation Calculator under Online Resources on the next page.
In the Event of an Emergency
It is best to keep all your family scrapbooks, photo albums and videos in one area so they can be located quickly and removed in the event of evacuation. If they are especially important to your family, duplicate them and ask a friend or relative to keep a copy.
Suppliers
Archival paper, pH pens, and safe polyester film can be ordered from the following suppliers:
Creative Memories Light Impressions (A pH pen contains a chemical that reacts to the acid in paper by changing color. The color roughly indicates the amount of acid in the piece. )
800-341-5275 800-828-6216
www. creative-memories.comwww.lightimpressionsdirect.com
Gaylord Bros. Talas
800-634-6307 212-219-0770
www.gaylordmart.com www.talasonline.com
Get Smart Products University Products
800-827-0673 800-628-1912
www.pfile.comwww.universityproducts.com
The Hollinger Corporation Metal Edge, Inc.
800-634-0491 800-862-2228
www.hollingercorp.comhttp://metaledgeinc.com
Further Reading
Eaton, George T. Conservation of Photographs. Kodak Publication, no. F-40. Rochester, NY: Eastman Kodak Co., 1985.
Keefe, Laurence E., Jr. and Dennis Inch. The Life of a Photograph: Archival Processing, Matting, Framing and Storage. Boston: Focal Press, c1984.
Reilly, James M. Care and Identification of 19th-Century Photographic Prints. Rochester, NY: Eastman Kodak Co., 1986.
Storing, Handling, and Preserving Polaroid Photographs: A Guide . Cambridge, MA: Polaroid Corp.; Boston: Focal Press, 1983.
The Editors of Time-Life Books. Caring for Photographs: Preserving Photographs, Old and New. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1982.
Vance, Mary A. Conservation and Restoration of Photographs. Monticello, IL: Vance Bibliographies, 1983.
Wilhelm, Henry and Carol Brower. The Permanence and Care of Color Photographs: Traditional and Digital Color Prints, Color Negatives, Slides, and Motion Pictures. Grinnell, IA: Preservation Pub Co., 1993.
Online Resources
Albright, Gary Storage Enclosures for Photographic Materials. Technical Leaflet: Storage and Handling. Andover, Mass.: Northeast Document Conservation Center, 1992 and online: http://www.nedcc.org/plam3/tleaf411.htm
Library of Congress
Caring for Your Photographic Collections
http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/photo.html
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your Family Photographs
http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/ucmishkin1a.htm
Image Permanence Institue
Preservation Calculator
http://www.rit.edu/~661www1/sub_pages/scrapbookcalc.htm
Photographs and Other Visual Records: Selected Photographic Processes
http://aabc.bc.ca/aabc/msa/8_selected_photographic_processe.htm
Preservation leaflets are available online as both .pdt and text files: http://www.ieldrn.org/events.htm and may be used free of charge by not-for-profit organizations.
Contact: Sheryl Davis
University Libraries, UC Riverside
09/02; rev 05/05
Hold on to the Memories
Preservation Information
From IELDRN
Leaflet no. 2
Preserving your Photographs