Transcript Photographic Preservation Photographic Structure 1. Base/Support- This layer can be:     2. 3. Paper Plastic film Glass Metal Binder- The binder is a gelatin that holds the final image. Final Image/Emulsion-

Photographic Preservation
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Photographic Structure
1.
Base/Support- This layer can be:
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2.
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Paper
Plastic film
Glass
Metal
Binder- The binder is a gelatin that holds the final image.
Final Image/Emulsion- This layer can be:
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Silver
Dyes
Pigment particles
Many different materials & binders have been used.
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Factors in Deterioration
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Environment: store and display
Acidic enclosures,
Direct sunlight
Dust/pollution
Temperature and humidity high, or fluctuating
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Handling:
Dirty hands touching image area
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Processing:
The lab not washing film long enough
These things can speed up deterioration
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Environment
Store in a safe environment:
Clean, Cool and Dark area
that has a Stable
Temperature 70-77 F
Humidity 20-50%
ideal 20-30%
This will greatly add to the life span of
your photographs
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Handling of Photographs & Negatives
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Wear cotton gloves if possible or wash your hands
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Handle prints and negatives along edges only
Support: don’t bend
Color separated from B/W , don’t mix different photographic
processes
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Avoid:
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Adhesives: rubber cement, and self sticking “magnetic “
pages of photo albums (PVC) polyvinyl chloride
Tapes (Pressure-sensitive)
Fasteners: metal (paper clips) or rubber bands
Bad Paper: acidic, lignin, and colored paper (dyes can
transfer)
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)
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Identify Signs of
Deterioration Early
1.
Structural Problems with the print or negative:
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Fragile or Flaking layers
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Physical damage (cracked/torn)
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Discoloration or odor
2.
External Problems
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Dirt
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Tape
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Adhesives
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2.
Do this at the first signs of deterioration:
Separate the damaged photographs from the rest
Reprint the original negative or slide, if you don’t have the negative or slide
you can scan the photograph
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Prioritize
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Look at what you have
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Decide which photos you want to keep long term
Weigh time and cost
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Enclosures
Know what a product consists of
Look for enclosure material that meet these
specifications:
 PAT: Photographic Activity Test
 ANSI: American National Standards Institute
 Acid-free and lignin-free
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Whether to use paper or plastic
enclosures is based on:
Type of photograph: ex. paper/ glass plate
 The condition of the material:
ex. buffered paper/ acidic board
 Kind of use it will receive:
ex. plastic/share, frequent use
 Financial : ex. paper/ cost less
 Environment: ex. paper/ humidity problem
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Paper costs less than plastic, but items used frequently can be
damaged by repeated removal from paper enclosures.
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Display
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Use archival materials
Use a mat to prevent photographs from
sticking to the glass
Use UV glass
Use incandescent tungsten lights
Remember not in direct sunlight or florescent
lights
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Remember
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Use products that are archival quality
Store in a good environment
Handle photographs with care
Store negatives separately from prints
Reprint at the 1st sign of deterioration
Use copies for display
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Want More Information
The Library of Congress
Care, Handling and Storage of
Photographs
http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/ph
otolea.html
Caring for Your Photographic
collection
http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/ph
oto.html
Film preservation guide,
Free:
http://www.filmpreservati
on.org
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Conservation Services
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Etherington Conservation Center
7609 Business Park Dr.
Greensboro, NC 27409
877-391-1317
http://ww.donetherington.com/
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Conservation Center for Art and
Historic Artifacts
264 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-545-0613
www.ccaha.org
Northeast Document
Conservation Center
100 Brickstone Square
Andover, MA 01810
978-470-1010
http://www.nedcc.org/
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IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
My Phone #252-328-0263
E-mail [email protected]
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