Although almost everyone has moved on to digital photos, so many people still have hundreds or even thousands of traditional photographs and it would be a shame not to take care of them. Follow these simple instructions if you want to properly preserve old photos so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Part 1: Basic Steps
Step 1. Make sure you have some backup copies, negatives or photocopies before you keep the old photos
Step 2. Store your photos at low temperatures in low-humidity environments
Generally, the warmer the environment, the more the colors tend to fade. Most photos keep well between 10 and 23 ° C. If you want to keep them for decades, put them in suitable containers to be placed in a low humidity room where the temperature is below 1.6 ° C. As a general rule, the lower the temperature and humidity, the better the photos are preserved.
Step 3. Find a cool, dry room to store the photographs
Preferably, the temperature and humidity must be constant. Generally the basement is too humid for this purpose (and there is a risk of flooding), while the attic is too dry. Variations in temperature and humidity cause warping and cracks in photos. Instead, exposure to light causes them to fade in a short time (especially if they are hit by the sun's rays!).
Step 4. Do not store photos with newspaper clippings, as the acids present in the paper could damage them
If you want to put them together with the newspaper clippings, it is best to photocopy them on acid-free paper. If you want to write on the photos, use a simple pencil, avoiding pens, markers and adhesive labels, as they contain chemicals that would cause the same problem. Don't even use staples and rubber bands as they will definitely ruin them.
Method 2 of 6: Part 2: Negatives and Backups
Step 1. You must have negatives or backup copies in case the photos are destroyed
- Negatives must be handled with extreme care. Avoid staining them with your fingers, leaving your fingerprints on them, and keep them following the same rules that apply to photos: keep them away from light, heat and humidity.
- If you don't have the negatives, consider photocopying the photos or scanning the image to save them to your computer. Warning: even these operations, carried out too often, can damage the photos, because they involve the use of light and heat.
Step 2. Do not keep negatives or backup copies with the originals
There is a risk that they will all be ruined if you keep them in the same environment.
Method 3 of 6: Part 3: Frames
Step 1. If you decide to use a frame, make sure it is made of an acid-free material
Sometimes it is specified on the label. Any type of glue or adhesive contains chemicals that can ruin the photo, so don't stick it to the frame and don't even use masking tape. A well-made frame does not require the use of glue to hold the photo in place.
Step 2. Get a frame with a special glass that can filter out the most harmful types of light
Never allow the photo to be hit by the sun directly, even if it was protected by a special glass.
Step 3. Display your frames in environments that do not suffer from excessive changes in temperature and humidity
If you hang them on the wall, possibly avoid outdoor ones that are more subject to temperature variations. Try to arrange the bezels away from vents, fans, and radiators. If you put the photos near the kitchen, the fumes and odors could ruin them.
Method 4 of 6: Part 4: Envelopes
Step 1. Avoid using envelopes to keep photos indefinitely
Typically, photographers deliver photos in an envelope and there is no danger if they stay there for a short time, however it is not an ideal choice for long-term storage. First of all, when you leaf through them, they risk getting scratched by rubbing against each other and, moreover, the grease on your fingers could ruin them.
Step 2. If you really care about the photos, don't leave them in an envelope but find another way to keep them
Method 5 of 6: Part 5: Album
Step 1. Avoid cheaper albums
Typically, cheap photo albums risk damaging photos rather than protecting them. Choose albums that do not contain polypropylene or polyester: the former is not recommended for long-term storage and all types of vinyl should be avoided like the plague. If the album is paper, make sure it does not contain acids or lignin (this should be specified on the label). Generally, department stores don't offer good quality albums, so check with your trusted photographer.
Step 2. Look for albums or boxes that have passed the Photographic Activity Test (PAT)
This is a test that evaluates materials according to an international standard to avoid damage to photos. Check the label of the item you wish to purchase.
Method 6 of 6: Part 6: Boxes
Step 1. Do not store photos in standard cardboard boxes
Cardboard, wood and many types of plastics release gases which, over time, spoil photos. Ask your trusted photographer to get you a suitable container for storing photos.
