Taking Care of Photographs

Sue Bove, paper conservator at the New York State Archives, discusses the preservation of photographs.

Video Key Points

• For the storage of photographs or negatives, use folders and boxes that have passed the P.A.T. or Photographic Activity Test. This will be clearly indicated in the catalogs of reputable vendors of high quality storage materials.
• You may use either paper folders, or specific types of plastic folders. Plastic is often selected for photographs so that you can see the image easily.
• Three types of stable plastic are recommended for the storage of photos and other important records, documents, or prints. These are polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene. A reputable supplier will identify these materials clearly.
• Stable plastic folders are recommended for records you want to see readily, such as photographs. Polyester folders have a slight static quality. This makes them cling to documents or photos that are torn. This helps to give those items additional support and can help prevent a tear from getting worse.
• Do not use so-called “magnetic” albums or scrapbooks. These use pressure sensitive adhesives to hold the photos in place. Such adhesives can turn brown and stain the photos they are holding. It can also become impossible to remove the photos without damaging them.
• Use photo corners to attach pictures to pages.
• For photos that you wish to display, make a copy or facsimile by photocopying or scanning. Display that copy, and keep the original in an album. That way, the original photograph will be protected from fading.