Do You Have Collections of Photos? Or, Handle Them In Your Profession? This Online Leaflet Is For You!

Technology has made it possible to convert analog images into digital ones through the process of scanning. This conversion process allows us to take a photograph printed onto a physical substrate such as paper and transform it into a numeric representation that can be interpreted by electronic devices then displayed upon their output viewing instrumentation. Once in a digital format and properly backed-up, the concern of someone mishandling that electronic image to the point of destruction is nearly non-existent.

But what about keeping the actual physical photograph print from giving in to the natural forces of deterioration that it is subject to use and the passage of time? How can we better care, handle and store our photographs to help them last as long as possible?

Jeniee Greene. “30 Days of Life Support - Photographs: Moments Passed, Never Forgotten.” 2009-Nov-17. http://flic.kr/p/7gzeUg

A Global Voice With Some Standards of Care
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is  considered the global voice of the library and information profession.

About 20 years ago, the IFLA issued through one of its Core Activities on Preservation and Conservation (PAC) standards on the care, handling and storage of photographs. Then, a decade later (circa 2002) the publication was revised following the introduction of digital images being printed using various printed media.

This publication was intended to provide a basic understanding of how and why photographs deteriorate and what can be done to slow the process. The information focused on the photographic formats most commonly found in research libraries and archives, namely black-and-white silver prints, glass plate and film base negatives, color chromogenic dye photographs (including negatives, prints, and transparencies), and digital output or hardcopy: ink jet prints, dye sublimation prints, and electrostatic prints.

The Library of Congress has incorporated this document, along with other excellent standard of care publications onto its Collection Care Resources website. The IFLA Information Leaflet is available in both English and Spanish versions.

The 7 Areas Included In The Standards Of Care
The information about care of photographs is divided into 7 general topics by section. They include;

• Structure of Photographs
• Identification of Photographic Processes
• Common Processes, When Introduced and When Most Popular
• Collection Management
• Deterioration
• Storage
• Handling

Each section explores a single topic, offering specific details and information that can be used in determining appropriate standard of care. If you have, or your work includes handling collections of photographs, be sure to consult this online leaflet carefully. It provides valuable information that when put into practice will help to slow the rate of deterioration and improve the preservation process of the photographs in your care.

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Digital Directions is sponsored by E-Z Photo Scan where making digital preservation easy is our mission. Visit E-Z Photo Scan to learn more about the possibilities for achieving your digital preservation goals. E-Z Photo Scan is also part of the National Digital Stewardship Alliance and member of its Outreach Working Group.