Photographic Preservation 1 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- This layer can be: Silver Dyes Pigment particles Many different materials & binders have been used. 2 Factors in Deterioration Environment: store and display Acidic enclosures, Direct sunlight Dust/pollution Temperature and humidity high, or fluctuating Handling: Dirty hands touching image area Processing: The lab not washing film long enough These things can speed up deterioration 3 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 4 Handling of Photographs & Negatives Wear cotton gloves if possible or wash your hands Handle prints and negatives along edges only Support: don’t bend 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 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) 6 Identify Signs of Deterioration Early 1. Structural Problems with the print or negative: Fragile or Flaking layers Physical damage (cracked/torn) Discoloration or odor 2. External Problems Dirt Tape Adhesives 1. 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 7 Prioritize Look at what you have Decide which photos you want to keep long term Weigh time and cost 8 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 9 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 Paper costs less than plastic, but items used frequently can be damaged by repeated removal from paper enclosures. 10 Display 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 11 Remember 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 12 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 13 Conservation Services Etherington Conservation Center 7609 Business Park Dr. Greensboro, NC 27409 877-391-1317 http://ww.donetherington.com/ 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/ 14 IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS My Phone #252-328-0263 E-mail lundinl@ecu.edu 15