Caring for photographs

Photographs vary greatly in appearance and format, from the earliest daguerreotypes to current prints and negatives. These guidelines for preservation through careful storage and handling can be applied to all photographic materials. 

Storage

Preventative measures are the best and often the only way we can preserve our valuable photographs for the future. The way we store and handle photographic materials is usually the cause of the greatest damage. Improving the way we store them can help us control some of the inherent chemical deterioration photographs are prone to, as well as limiting the amount of physical damage occurring to them.

Ideal conditions are difficult to achieve in the home environment, but minimal exposure to light, dust, heat and damp will help preserve your images. Sheds, garages, roof spaces, basements and damp areas are poor options for storage. Damp conditions cause mould growth and should be avoided. Excessive dryness can lead to photographic prints and negatives becoming brittle and thus being susceptible to physical damage and cracking. Photographs should not be stored against external walls or windows, above fireplaces or heaters. It is best to store them in rooms towards the centre of the house, where the temperature and humidity tends to be stable throughout the day.

When selecting storage materials, such as boxes, albums, mount board, interleaving tissue, storage sleeves and envelopes, archival storage materials should be used.  Choose pH neutral paper or board and inert plastic materials, such as polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics should be avoided for sleeves and containers. Self-stick plastic-covered ‘magnetic’ albums should also be avoided. These have been known to cause staining, and photographs may stick to the surface, causing irreparable damage. Choose albums where photographs can slip into pockets, or albums that use archival photo corners to hold the photograph in place. Carefully remove any metal paper clips or pins to avoid rust stains and surface damage.

Do not laminate precious or valuable photographs, as this is an irreversible process of embedding the photographs in plastic.

Handling

Always handle photographs with clean dry hands and on clean surfaces. Try never to touch the surface of a print or negative; always hold them by the edges. Extreme care should be taken when handling glass plates, as these become fragile over time. Do not attempt to dismantle cases that hold photographic images, such as daguerreotypes or ambrotypes.

Do not repair photographs yourself. Leave this for a trained conservator. Pressure-sensitive or self-adhesive tapes or glues may cause staining and irreversible long-term damage. Do not attempt to remove any previous repairs done with pressure-sensitive or self-adhesive tape. If the photograph is stored and handled appropriately small tears and previous repairs can be lived with.

Writing on the photograph’s surface should be avoided. If notations must be made, use a soft lead pencil on the back of the photograph. Write along the edges, rather than in the centre of the print. Place the photograph on a clean hard surface, and press lightly to avoid indenting the photograph.

Mounting and framing

Use only good quality materials for mounting and specify to the framer that you would like ‘museum quality’, ‘conservation style’ or 100% rag board that is pH neutral. Ask that the front window mount and the separate backboard be joined with cloth tape. For preservation mounting choose photo corners that are attached to the backboard or the traditional method of hinging works with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste to the backboard. Dry mounting and the use of heat set tissue is not a preservation mounting technique and should be avoided.

When framing a valuable photograph, always use a window mount or a spacer between the photograph and the glazing. This will prevent the surface of the photograph from touching the glass and becoming stuck to it.

When displaying framed photographs on walls, do not allow direct or excessive sunlight to hit the photograph. Consider having copy prints made and displaying them instead, regardless of whether it is a new colour or older black-and-white print. Frames should not be hung on outside walls, as they tend to get damp, or above fireplaces, where it can be excessively dry and dirty.

For more information

Caring for your Collections – Whelchel, Harriet (ed), New York, Abrams, 1987 (SLV Call No: AOF 790.1320973 C19N)

reCollections, Caring  for Collections Across Australia

The material contained in this information sheet is for general reference only and should not be relied upon to change a legal or financial position. The State Library of Victoria does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information and disclaims all liability for any loss and or damage that may be caused by reliance upon it.