| Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your Family Photographs | |
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Biological Deterioration
Biological deterioration is the fourth form of photographic
deterioration. Photographic materials contain ingredients - such as gelatin and
cellulose in paper - that are real treats to insects and rodents. The best
preventative is to follow good housekeeping practices. Any windows that might be
left open should have screening to protect against insects; they are attracted
to funus and may damage the emulsion layer. Insects will actually chew away
pieces of prints and even containers, especially when they are moist. Another
method of protecting processed photographic materials from biological attack is
to seal them in envelopes such as the Kodak storage envelopes for processed
film.
Preservation
One of the most important factors affecting the preservation of photographs is the storage and display conditions to which they are subjected. This includes the material in which they are enclosed, the area in which they are stored and the manner in which they are displayed.
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| Encapsulation materials, lower left. Negative preservers, top right. Interleaving paper, lower right. |
Processed negatives, slides and prints should be enclosed in special envelopes, sleeve file folders, or albums to protect them from dirt and physical damage and to facilitate identification and handling. Certain paper and plastic enclosures are satisfactory, provided the temperature and relative humidity are within the previously discussed safe tolerances. However, these materials are porous and do not protect against environmental effects. The paper used should be chemically stable and have a slightly rough or matte surface to prevent sticking.
Photographic preservation has become a highly technical field of study. Although it is not necessary to know or understand the specifications of the proper paper to use, it will provide a better understanding of the necessity to use proper materials to protect your photographs. Paper that will be in direct contact with a photograph should have an alpha cellulose content in excess of 87%, be free of groundwood, contain neutral or alkaline sizing chemicals, have a pH between 7.0 and 9.5 for black and white materials with a 2% alkaline reserve, and be void of waxers, plasticizers, or other ingredients that may transfer to photographic materials during storage.
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Images © 2000 David Mishkin. All Rights Reserved.
