Photographic Preservation Photographic Preservation

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Photographic StructurePhotographic Structure

1.1. Base/SupportBase/Support- This layer can be:- This layer can be: PaperPaper Plastic filmPlastic film GlassGlass Metal Metal

2.2. BinderBinder- The binder is a gelatin that holds the final image.- The binder is a gelatin that holds the final image.3.3. Final Image/EmulsionFinal Image/Emulsion- This layer can be:- This layer can be:

SilverSilver Dyes Dyes Pigment particlesPigment particles

Many different materials & binders have been used.Many different materials & binders have been used.

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Factors in DeteriorationFactors in Deterioration

Environment: store and display Environment: store and display Acidic enclosures, Acidic enclosures,

Direct sunlightDirect sunlight Dust/pollution Dust/pollution

Temperature and humidity high, or fluctuating Temperature and humidity high, or fluctuating Handling:Handling:

Dirty hands touching image areaDirty hands touching image area Processing:Processing:

The lab not washing film long enoughThe lab not washing film long enough

These things can speed up deteriorationThese things can speed up deterioration

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EnvironmentEnvironmentStore in a safe environment:Store in a safe environment:

Clean, Cool and Dark areaClean, Cool and Dark areathat has a Stable that has a Stable

Temperature 70-77 FTemperature 70-77 FHumidity 20-50%Humidity 20-50%

ideal 20-30%ideal 20-30%

This will greatly add to the life span of This will greatly add to the life span of your photographs your photographs

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Handling of Photographs & NegativesHandling of Photographs & Negatives Wear cotton gloves if possible or wash your handsWear cotton gloves if possible or wash your hands

Handle prints and negatives along edges onlyHandle prints and negatives along edges only Support: don’t bendSupport: don’t bend Color separated from B/W , don’t mix different photographic Color separated from B/W , don’t mix different photographic

processes processes

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Avoid:Avoid: Adhesives: rubber cement, and self sticking “magnetic “ pages of Adhesives: rubber cement, and self sticking “magnetic “ pages of

photo albums (PVC) polyvinyl chloridephoto albums (PVC) polyvinyl chloride Tapes (Pressure-sensitive)Tapes (Pressure-sensitive) Fasteners: metal (paper clips) or rubber bandsFasteners: metal (paper clips) or rubber bands

Bad PaperBad Paper: : acidicacidic, , lignin, lignin, and colored paper (dyes can transfer) and colored paper (dyes can transfer) Products that have a odor: chemical cleaners, oil base paints, cedar Products that have a odor: chemical cleaners, oil base paints, cedar

chest, etcchest, etc Direct sunlight and florescent light due to the cumulative effect Direct sunlight and florescent light due to the cumulative effect

(cause fading)(cause fading)

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Identify Signs of Identify Signs of Deterioration EarlyDeterioration Early

1.1. Structural ProblemsStructural Problems with the print or negative: with the print or negative: Fragile or Flaking layersFragile or Flaking layers Physical damage (cracked/torn)Physical damage (cracked/torn) Discoloration or odorDiscoloration or odor

2.2. External ProblemsExternal Problems Dirt Dirt TapeTape AdhesivesAdhesives

Do this at the first signs of deterioration:Do this at the first signs of deterioration:3.3. Separate the damaged photographs from the rest Separate the damaged photographs from the rest 4.4. Reprint the original negative or slide, if you don’t have the negative or slide Reprint the original negative or slide, if you don’t have the negative or slide

you can scan the photographyou can scan the photograph

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PrioritizePrioritize Look at what you haveLook at what you have

Decide which photos you want to keep long termDecide which photos you want to keep long term Weigh time and costWeigh time and cost

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EnclosuresEnclosures Know what a product consists of Know what a product consists of

Look for enclosure material that meet these Look for enclosure material that meet these specifications: specifications:

PAT: Photographic Activity Test PAT: Photographic Activity Test ANSI: American National Standards InstituteANSI: American National Standards Institute Acid-free and lignin-free Acid-free and lignin-free

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Whether to use paper or plastic Whether to use paper or plastic enclosures is based on:enclosures is based on:

Type of photograph: ex. paper/ glass plateType of photograph: ex. paper/ glass plate The condition of the material: The condition of the material:

ex. buffered paper/ acidic boardex. buffered paper/ acidic board Kind of use it will receive: Kind of use it will receive:

ex. plastic/share, frequent use ex. plastic/share, frequent use Financial : ex. paper/ cost lessFinancial : ex. paper/ cost less Environment: ex. paper/ humidity problemEnvironment: ex. paper/ humidity problem

Paper costs less than plastic, but items used frequently can be Paper costs less than plastic, but items used frequently can be damaged by repeated removal from paper enclosures.damaged by repeated removal from paper enclosures.

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DisplayDisplay

Use archival materials Use archival materials Use a mat to prevent photographs from Use a mat to prevent photographs from

sticking to the glasssticking to the glass Use UV glassUse UV glass Use incandescent tungsten lightsUse incandescent tungsten lights Remember not in direct sunlight or florescent Remember not in direct sunlight or florescent

lights lights

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RememberRemember

Use products that are archival qualityUse products that are archival quality Store in a good environmentStore in a good environment Handle photographs with careHandle photographs with care Store negatives separately from printsStore negatives separately from prints Reprint at the 1Reprint at the 1stst sign of deterioration sign of deterioration Use copies for displayUse copies for display

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Want More Information Want More Information

The Library of CongressThe Library of Congress Care, Handling and Storage of Care, Handling and Storage of

Photographs Photographs http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/

photolea.htmlphotolea.htmlCaring for Your Photographic Caring for Your Photographic

collectioncollectionhttp://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/

photo.htmlphoto.html

Film preservation guide, Film preservation guide, Free:Free:

http://http://www.filmpreservation.owww.filmpreservation.org rg

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Conservation ServicesConservation Services

Etherington Conservation CenterEtherington Conservation Center7609 Business Park Dr.7609 Business Park Dr.Greensboro, NC 27409Greensboro, NC 27409877-391-1317877-391-1317http://ww.donetherington.com/http://ww.donetherington.com/

Northeast Document Northeast Document Conservation CenterConservation Center

100 Brickstone Square 100 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810Andover, MA 01810978-470-1010978-470-1010http://www.nedcc.org/ http://www.nedcc.org/

Conservation Center for Art and Conservation Center for Art and Historic ArtifactsHistoric Artifacts

264 South 23264 South 23rdrd Street StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19103Philadelphia, PA 19103215-545-0613215-545-0613www.ccaha.org www.ccaha.org

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IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONSIF YOU HAVE QUESTIONSMy Phone #252-328-0263My Phone #252-328-0263E-mail lundinl@ecu.eduE-mail lundinl@ecu.edu

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