As technology progresses many people are digitising their photographic collections.

In undertaking this process, it’s important to take care of your original materials for access in the future.

The following guidelines are some simple steps that you can undertake to protect your photographic collection for the long-term.

Please note: The advice given here in regard to the care of photographs is based on experience and the best information available to the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA). To be sure of the best care of your photographs you may wish to seek specialist advice.

Storage

Before discussing storage, it is important to keep in mind that most photographic material is made up of several layers. The most important being:

Support layer (base)

In the case of prints this is either fibre-based photographic paper or resin coated paper (B&W and colour prints from 1970).

For negative and transparencies this will be either cellulose nitrate (1890-1950) cellulose acetate (c.1925 to present) or polyester (1960 onwards).

Image layer (emulsion)

Generally, this is composed of a gelatin emulsion containing image forming materials. The most common image forming materials are silver in the case of black and white material and chromogenic dyes for colour material.

Each of these layers has its own particular deterioration characteristics and, in some cases, has different storage requirements. When looking at storage you need to consider both environment and enclosures.

The Graphics Atlas is a useful resource for photographic identification.

Visit the Graphics Atlas website.

Environment

Photographic material is susceptible to deterioration by elevated levels of temperature, moisture, air borne pollutants (dust, peroxides, acids), ultraviolet light and manual handling.

For long term storage, archival institutions generally aim for temperatures between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius for black and white material and below 5 degrees Celsius for colour material. They also try and maintain a stable relative humidity moisture range between 30% to 40%. The basic principle to keep in mind is to achieve a cool, dry and stable environment.

If storing at home, a clean, cool, dry and dark environment is best, such as an internal cupboard in a bedroom. The following areas should be avoided as they are susceptible to fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity (moisture):

• attics or ceiling spaces
• basements or under the house
• cupboards next to a water source such as kitchen, bathroom or laundry
• cupboards next to an external wall.

If you intend to construct shelving, use coated metal rather than wood, as wood may, over time, release harmful vapours and provide a home for insects.

Store oversize items flat in drawers or boxes as unrolling material later can damage the material.

Always store deteriorating material separately from the rest of your collection.

Enclosures

There are a variety of suitable storage enclosures that can be used for long-term storage of your photographic collection.

Use of a multi-layered system i.e. sleeve, then box, then cabinet will provide you with increased protection.

Plastics

Plastic sleeves, envelopes and bags are suitable for storing prints and negatives in good condition. They should be made of a chemically inert material such as uncoated polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene.

Avoid enclosures made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as this produces harmful products when it deteriorates. If buying from the supermarket, purchase food-safe bags.

Paper

Archival quality acid free paper envelopes are suitable for storing prints and deteriorated negatives. It is generally recommended that the paper be unbuffered as some photographic processes react adversely to buffered papers. Seamless envelopes are preferred.

While the NFSA can't supply acid free packaging, you may be able to obtain it from companies specialising in its manufacture.

Albums

When choosing an album there are several things you need to be aware of. Avoid self-adhesive albums (also known as magnetic albums) and any products that contain PVC plastics.

Use archival quality photo-corners to adhere photographs to pages in non-adhesive albums.

General rules

• When choosing enclosures look for materials or products that have passed the 'PAT’ (Photographic Activity Test). This certifies that the material is safe for use with photographs.
• Prints and negatives are best packaged individually but if packaging in groups is unavoidable, the photos should be interleaved with acid-free paper or board. Package loose material in small groups in files or folders, then package inside boxes.

Display

When framing a photograph, the backing and insert should be archival-quality materials. Avoid wooden frames, which may be constructed using glues and varnishes. These may break down over time to form gases harmful to the photograph.

Try to minimise the amount of light exposure while on display. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and if unavoidable, using an ultraviolet light filtering glazing in the frame might be a good option. Colour photographs are particularly susceptible to deterioration by over exposure to intense light.

Avoid hanging locations near heating or cooling sources as these will produce adverse temperature and moisture conditions that can affect the photograph.

Handling

Always wash and dry your hands before handling photographs. As natural oils can accelerate deterioration, handle photographs by the edges ensuring that your fingerprints never touch the surface of the photo.

At the NFSA, we handle all photographs wearing powder-free nitrile gloves to protect us and the objects. Lint-free gloves may be used if they don’t make handling difficult.

Be aware that the photo emulsion is easily scratched by stacking of photographs.

Avoid fastening or binding photographs with metal pins, paper clips, staples or rubber bands.

Use a blower or soft brush (available from photographic and art supply stores) to gently clean dusty photographic material.

It is important to identify photographs for future reference but avoid using pens, stamps or adhesive labels as any of these may leave an impression in the photo paper and, over time, damage the photograph at a chemical level, impairing the image and integrity of the paper.

Use a soft lead pencil for making a small note on the reverse of the photograph (6B pencils are best.)

Avoid adhesive tape, post-it notes or sticky labels when identifying photographs.

Do not have food or drink near photographs. Aside from the possibility of spillage, consumables may attract mould and insects.

Digital prints

Any advice regarding care, handling, storage and packaging of photographs is doubly applicable to digital prints (prints produced on a printer from digital images, rather than by photographic development).

Digital prints are even more susceptible to the detrimental effects of light, air and moisture, so special care should be taken to keep them safe from exposure to these elements.