Photographic Preservation 1

Photographic Structure 1. Base/Support- This layer can be: Paper Paper Plastic film Plastic film Glass Glass Metal Metal 2. Binder- The binder is a gelatin that holds the final image. 3. Final Image/Emulsion- This layer can be: Silver Silver Dyes Dyes Pigment particles Pigment particles Many different materials & binders have been used. 2

Factors in Deterioration Factors in Deterioration Environment: store and display Acidic enclosures, Environment: store and display Acidic enclosures, Direct sunlight Direct sunlight Dust/pollution Dust/pollution Temperature and humidity high, or fluctuating Handling: Handling: Dirty hands touching image area Processing: Processing: The lab not washing film long enough These things can speed up deterioration 3

Environment Environment Store in a safe environment: Clean, Cool and Dark area that has a Stable Temperature F Temperature F Humidity 20-50% ideal 20-30% ideal 20-30% This will greatly add to the life span of your photographs This will greatly add to the life span of your photographs 4

Handling of Photographs & Negatives Wear cotton gloves if possible or wash your hands Wear cotton gloves if possible or wash your hands Handle prints and negatives along edges only Handle prints and negatives along edges only Support: don’t bend Support: don’t bend Color separated from B/W, don’t mix different photographic processes Color separated from B/W, don’t mix different photographic processes 5

Avoid: Adhesives: rubber cement, and self sticking “magnetic “ pages of photo albums (PVC) polyvinyl chloride Adhesives: rubber cement, and self sticking “magnetic “ pages of photo albums (PVC) polyvinyl chloride Tapes (Pressure-sensitive) Tapes (Pressure-sensitive) Fasteners: metal (paper clips) or rubber bands Fasteners: metal (paper clips) or rubber bands Bad Paper: acidic, lignin, and colored paper (dyes can transfer) Bad Paper: acidic, lignin, and colored paper (dyes can transfer) Products that have a odor: chemical cleaners, oil base paints, cedar chest, etc Products that have a odor: chemical cleaners, oil base paints, cedar chest, etc Direct sunlight and florescent light due to the cumulative effect (cause fading) Direct sunlight and florescent light due to the cumulative effect (cause fading) 6

Identify Signs of Deterioration Early 1. Structural Problems with the print or negative: Fragile or Flaking layers Fragile or Flaking layers Physical damage (cracked/torn) Physical damage (cracked/torn) Discoloration or odor Discoloration or odor 2. External Problems Dirt Dirt Tape Tape Adhesives Adhesives Do this at the first signs of deterioration: 1. Separate the damaged photographs from the rest 2. Reprint the original negative or slide, if you don’t have the negative or slide you can scan the photograph 7

Prioritize Prioritize Look at what you have Look at what you have Decide which photos you want to keep long term Decide which photos you want to keep long term Weigh time and cost Weigh time and cost 8

Enclosures Know what a product consists of Look for enclosure material that meet these specifications: Look for enclosure material that meet these specifications: PAT: Photographic Activity Test PAT: Photographic Activity Test ANSI: American National Standards Institute ANSI: American National Standards Institute Acid-free and lignin-free Acid-free and lignin-free 9

Whether to use paper or plastic enclosures is based on: Type of photograph: ex. paper/ glass plate Type of photograph: ex. paper/ glass plate The condition of the material: The condition of the material: ex. buffered paper/ acidic board Kind of use it will receive: Kind of use it will receive: ex. plastic/share, frequent use Financial : ex. paper/ cost less Financial : ex. paper/ cost less Environment: ex. paper/ humidity problem Environment: ex. paper/ humidity problem Paper costs less than plastic, but items used frequently can be damaged by repeated removal from paper enclosures. 10

Display Use archival materials Use archival materials Use a mat to prevent photographs from sticking to the glass Use a mat to prevent photographs from sticking to the glass Use UV glass Use UV glass Use incandescent tungsten lights Use incandescent tungsten lights Remember not in direct sunlight or florescent lights Remember not in direct sunlight or florescent lights 11

Remember Use products that are archival quality Use products that are archival quality Store in a good environment Store in a good environment Handle photographs with care Handle photographs with care Store negatives separately from prints Store negatives separately from prints Reprint at the 1 st sign of deterioration Reprint at the 1 st sign of deterioration Use copies for display Use copies for display 12

Want More Information The Library of Congress Care, Handling and Storage of Photographs Care, Handling and Storage of Photographs otolea.html otolea.html Caring for Your Photographic collection oto.html oto.html Film preservation guide, Free: on.org on.org 13

Conservation Services Etherington Conservation Center Etherington Conservation Center 7609 Business Park Dr. Greensboro, NC Northeast Document Conservation Center Northeast Document Conservation Center 100 Brickstone Square Andover, MA Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts 264 South 23 rd Street Philadelphia, PA

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