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A photographic image
looks like something that will last forever, but even the most modern prints
are not designed to last for more than a few decades. Black-and-white photographs,
made up of light-sensitive silver salts known as silver halides, last longer.
But color photographs and slides, which are made up of dyes and plastics,
are more fragile. Still, any photograph will eventually succumb to the effects
of a hostile environment Š and a host of natural enemies.
The Bad
Guys
-High temperature and relative humidity
The emulsion layer
of a photograph, the light-sensitive component that actually captures the
image, is made up of organic materials, including gelatin. That makes the
emulsion susceptible to mold and fungi especially when subject to the combination
of heat and moisture. Photographs should be stored in a cool, dry place below
about 68¼ Fahrenheit and under 50% relative humidity.
-Ultraviolet Light
Go ahead. Tempt the
fates. Hang a color photograph on a wall in your house where the sun hits
it every day, and you can start watching it fade within just a few years.
To prevent fading, keep your photographs out of direct exposure to sunlight.
If you absolutely must display that picture in that perfect spot, you buy
special filters to protect the photo. Another good idea is to make one copy
for long-term storage and a second for display.
-Wood and Paper Products
What could be more
natural than a tree? That may be true, but many wood and paper products contain
harmful acids, bleaches and other chemicals that can damage the emulsion of
your photograph over time. Use only acid-free paper products. When shopping
for "archival" products, make sure you are getting what you pay
for - there is no accepted "archival" labeling standard.
-Adhesives & Rubber
Remember those easy-to-use
sticky-back photo albums? Bad news and we all know it. But most adhesives,
including the rubber cement often used in so-called "magnetic" photo
albums, contain harmful chemicals such as PVC that will eventually destroy
your photographs. Rubber bands can have the same effect. That makes them both
a big no-no.
-Air pollutants
It may come as a surprise,
but even the fumes from household cleaning products and fresh paint can damage
photos. You probably wonÕt notice the effects right away, but in time they
will become painfully obvious.
-Metallic Objects
On a more practical
level, metallic objects such as keys and paper clips can scratch the surfaces
of your prints and negatives. DonÕt clip your photos together, and try not
to store them in the same box as your screwdrivers.
A Word of
Hope
Preserving photographs, which are organic and temporary by their very nature, may seem like an uphill battle. But with smart decisions about storing and displaying your photos, it doesnÕt have to be. Follow the tips in our next article and youÕll be that much closer to making your photo collection last a lifetime.