Types of Photography Materials

Types of Materials

Historical photographs may be daguerreotypes, using copper sheets and mercury vapors, or albumen prints made on very thin papers with an emulsion derived from egg whites. Early photographs were also made with supports of glass and metal and collodion emulsions. In the late 1880s glass negatives were replaced by a clear plastic film made from cellulose nitrate. This was superseded in the 1930s by "safety film" on cellulose triacetate. Triacetate is still used as a film base today in conjunction with polyester film which was introduced in 1960.

Documenting a Photograph
The most important part of a photograph is not the image itself, but the information about the content. Failing memories can lose important stories of the who, what, when, where and how of the photographs. So the very first step in caring for a family or historical collection is recording information about the images. Sit down with the images and record the names of the persons in the image, the date taken and the location. Write it out on either a separate paper or lightly on the back outside edge of the photograph in pencil. Additional information about the occasion when the images was taken, relationship of the person in the photograph, their birth and death dates, who took the image and if there is an original negative will help document the image for later generations.

Organizing Photograph Collections
Photographs may be organized chronologically, by name or by subject. If organizing by name, be sure to list surname and then first name. Women are often only identified by their husband's name--it is better to provide her first name and maiden name if possible. An index to the names and location of originals is very helpful to family members and can be created easily with current computer programs. For the advanced there are cataloging programs in which information can be stored with thumbnails of images. Organizing by year allows one to chronicle the history of a family and location. This can be very helpful in visually documenting a family tree. Subject matter may be used for simplicity of locating images of birds, animals, and locations, if many images exist.

Dont think that one person has to do all the word of identifying, organizing and storing the photographs: make it a family event to get together regularly and reminisce about people, places and events. The work will be part of the fun and will become part of a family legacy.

Storing Photographs
Correct handling of photographs will aid in preserving them for as long as possible.

DOs

1. Wear lint-free cotton gloves when handling photographs.
2. Record information on photocopies of images or in pencil on the back near the edge of the photograph.
3. Archival-quality, acid-free storage materials should be used.
4. Prints and negatives should be individually stored in sleeves or acid-free envelopes.
5. Images should be stored flat in acid free boxes or vertically with spacers so they will not slump.

DONTs

1. Labels and identification stamps should never be applied directly to photographs. Adhesives fail after time and ink damages the photo.
2. Refrain from using ink or marking pens on either the front or back of photographs, as the ink can bleed into the image area.
3. Do not store photographs in attics or in the damp basement next to water sources or in storage areas holding cleaning supplies or recently painted rooms. Heat and humidity can cause more rapid deterioration of images. Air pollution from cleaners and car exhaust can rapidly damage images, especially color.
4. Do not use paper clips, rupper bands or tape on photographs. Paper clips rust and deform the image with pressure. Rubber bands deteriorate and stick to image and the adhesive on tape degrades and the transparent base yellows.
5. Avoid excess exposure to light, especially sunlight and flourescent. Color photographs will fade rapidly with prolonged exposure.