Photographs: Preservation and Digitization Presented by Lori Hostuttler WVAM 2010

Benefits of Digitization Helps preserve originals – Not full surrogates – Management of digital data – will it last? Increases access to images – Can lead to increased use of originals Can provide outreach and fundraising possibilities

Basic Photograph Preservation Take a holistic approach Focus on environmental controls, handling, and storage Avoid the need for conservation or repair

Temperature and Humidity Crucial to preservation – Rate of degradation doubles with every 10 degree temperature increase – High humidity provides moisture that leads to fading and discoloration. – High temp and high humidity enables mold growth and insects – Low humidity can cause embrittlement and curling

Temperature and Humidity Consistency is the key Temperature ° F Humidity 30% - 50% Lower is better Avoid attics and basements

Light Causes embrittlement, yellowing and fading Cumulative and irreversible Direct sunlight the worst Use reproductions for display Be aware of light sources if hanging originals UV absorbing sleeves available for fluorescent lights or use low UV bulbs

Handling and Storage Wear gloves – don’t touch emulsion side Enclosures – Archival Quality Paper Protects from light, but increases handling for viewing – Plastic Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyethylene Can trap moisture – do not enclose all four sides Boxes and Folders – Acid Free – Horizontal or Vertical

Resources Society of American Archivists – – Photographs: Archival Care and Management by Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, Diane Vogt-O’Conner, et al Northeast Document Conservation Center –

Arrangement and Description Organizing your photos – Provenance – Subject Metadata – Descriptive information, “data about data” – Dublin Core Metadata Element set A standard for digital information 15 elements or fields – you don’t have to use them all and you can repeat an element if necessary

Dublin Core Elements Title Date Creator Description Subject Source Format Identifier Rights Contributor Coverage Language Publisher Relation Type

Considerations Will digitization harm the original? Is there a commitment to keeping up with storage and file standards? Migration? Copyright questions Access and Use policies

Hardware Computer Specifications – RAM (2 to 4 Gigabytes) – Processor Speed ( 1.5 Ghz minimum) – Hard Drive Size (200 – 500 Gigabytes) guide/ Scanner – Epson (my personal fav) – Make sure has the capability to do high resolution scans

Software Scanning utility will come with scanner Photo editing software may also accompany scanner program Adobe Photoshop is the best, but expensive Irfan View – very functional and FREE GIMP, Picasa, Photoscape for hardware/software information, reviews, downloads

Storage of Digital Files Computer Hard Drive External Hard Drive CDs / DVDs – Use a Sharpie CD/DVD markers Redundant Storage – storing data in more than one place is a very good idea Migration to the latest technology

Scanning Specifications File Types – Master files:.tif Keep a master file that can be edited as needed – User files:.jpeg – Text files:.pdf (FYI) Color or Grayscale – 8 bit grayscale Smaller file size – 24 bit color Larger file size but will retain any sepia in b&w photos

Scanning Specifications Resolution – For master files at least 300 dpi (dots per inch), which is publication quality, but higher is better – Higher dpi will mean bigger file size and more storage needs File Naming Schemas – Use an alpha numeric combination that is logical for your project or collection: cm0001, cm0002 – Connect original to scan by writing number on back in pencil

Scanning Demo

Scanner Interface

Preview

Preview in Color

Preview in Grayscale

Select Scanning Area

Adjust Specifications and Scan

Image in IrfanView - Rotate

Options for Online Display Content Management Systems – CONTENTdm (proprietary), dlxs, Dspace and Greenstone (open source) Online sites – Flikr, Picasa, MyPhotoAlbum Web site

Thanks! Questions?