| Photos are best stored in moderate climates. Best
conditions are under 70 degree F with the relative humidity under 50%. High humidity is
most harmful and high temperatures accelerate the deterioration.
The emulsion surface of a photo can be easily scratched by writing
too hard on the back of a photo with a sharp writing instrument, like a ball point pen.
Where you have your photos developed can be as important as what album
you place them into. Inferior processing can cause photos to age prematurely. One hour
photo shops have a notoriously bad reputation for not changing their chemicals often
enough and/or not rinsing thoroughly enough. That doesn't mean that you cannot find a
good quality one hour photo processor, it does mean that you should shop carefully though.
Whenever I want photos developed in one hour, I always seek out a one hour photo that uses
the Kodak Colorwatch System. The Kodak Colorwatch System is a series of quality control
tests that ensure a processors machines are calibrated correctly on a daily basis.
Professional photos will be the most durable photos in your collection because they are
printed on high quality paper that is unavailable to us a amateurs.
Photo paper can be acidic. However, that doesn't
mean that the "acid-free thing" is a farce. Basically, here is my understanding:
Color photos are unstable. Any chemical that is near them that might interact with their
chemicals to create a reaction can cause your photos to deteriorate. We all know about
acid, vinyl fumes and Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) fumes being damaging, however, I bet that
photos shouldn't be around bleach fumes or ammonia or formaldehyde fumes or any number of
other chemicals, either. The term archival quality refers to an item being chemically
stable- THAT is a very desirable condition. While photos themselves might be acidic in
order to prolong their life, you do not want to ADD more acid to their environment. |
|
Tips
Get closer
Be quick! Catch the moment
Think about composition
Be picky
Experiment
Focus
Keep it simple
Check your lighting
Links
KODAK: Taking
Great Pictures
FODOR's Focus On Vacation
Photography
New York Institute of Photography |
