Photo Preservation Strategies
The environmental conditions that have an impact on long term preservation of photographic materials include temperature, humidity, acidity, exposure. Careful storage of photographic materials increases longevity. Here are some steps to properly store a photographic collection.
- Use acid-free archival quality paper.
- Avoid the use of paperclips or other metals with photographic materials.
- Do not use adhesive materials on photographic materials.
- Do not write on photographic materials.
- Store film in mylar sleeves.
- Use clean cotton gloves when handling photographic materials. Alternatively, thoroughly wash your hands before handling materials. Natural oils in the skin react with photographic materials.
- Keep materials in a stable environment; fluctuations in temperature and humidity are detrimental to archival storage. While ideal storage conditions vary for different types of photographic materials, 68° Fahrenheit (20° Celsius) and 30%-40% humidity is ideal for most materials. This may be difficult or uneconomical to maintain in many households. In such cases, try to keep film and photographs in a dark, dry environment with stable temperatures (i.e. not the attic).
- Avoid exposure to UV light. Light from the violet end of the spectrum fades images more quickly than light from the red end of the spectrum.
Resources for further study:
Library of Congress. Caring for Your Photographic Collections.
http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/photo.html
The American Institute of Conservation for Historic and Artistic Works. Photographic Materials Group.
http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/pmg/images/AIC_CareforPhotos.pdf