CARE AND HANDLING OF FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Information on how to properly care for photographs, photographic prints
and the care of photography collections. Since photographs can be easily
damaged, taking precautionary measures is the best defense in protecting
their values. This article and web page have been designed to help you
understand the of care and handling of photographs. Resource books are
featured at the end and they provide a wealth of knowledge on the subject.
Several everyday situations can potentially cause damage to photographs.
Avoiding these situations and potential problems, is much easier than trying
to correct damage once it has occurred. Major areas of concern are broken
down into the following categories:
Handling the Photograph
Proper handling is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent damage to photographs.
Always wash your hands before touching a photograph and if
possible wear clean white cotton gloves that are designed for handling art.
When picking up a photograph always use both hands and make sure the back of the print
is supported so it does not bend. Never touch the surface of a photograph
with you finger. If you are trying to blow something off the surface, make
sure you do not accidentally spit on the print. The surface of photographs
can be damaged by sliding prints against each other and by placing objects
on top of them. Once damaged this way photographs are very difficult if
not impossible to repair.
Light
Never hang or exhibit
photographs in direct sunlight. Next, try to avoid strong indirect
daylight. It's a good idea to change prints frequently if they hang in
strong light situations. Ultraviolet light is what you want to avoid. Many
fluorescent tube lamps give off ultraviolet light, and filters are
available and should be used. Also, you can purchase ultraviolet-shielding
Plexiglas or glass when getting you photographs framed. Normal household
light bulbs do not present a problem.
Heat and Humidity
Try to avoid extremes of heat
and humidity. Keep photographs away from Fireplaces, radiators or other
heating devices. When storing photographs keep them out of damp basements
and hot attics. It is best to keep them at a constant temperature
humidity, museums try to keep a temperature around 65 degrees Fahrenheit
and a relative humidity of 40%. If the humidity is too high, be on the
lookout for Foxing, a type of mold growth. If you live in the tropics, the
best advise I can give you is to contact a local museum in your area, for
specific precautions.
External Pollutants
Where you hang and store your
photographs can make a big difference, if you choose the wrong place they
may become damaged. Here's my list of what you should try to avoid: Smog
(good luck here), fumes from fresh paint, cleaning solvents, motor
exhausts, burning wood and smoke of any kind, rubber bands and other
rubber based products, moist air from the oceans. Also, try to avoid
displaying photographs where food is being prepared (like a kitchen or a
restaurant). The best way to protect your photographs remove them place
them in a safe area whenever the conditions became extreme. Heavy duty air
filtration systems are a commonplace in museums but most private
collectors do not have them.
Internal Chemicals
Photographs are processed and
created in chemical baths. The responsibility of making sure the prints
are clean and free of chemicals is the responsibility of the photographer.
Unfortunately, there is not a lot that can be done once it has left the
possession of the photographer. It sometimes takes years to discover
whether a print was processed and washed correctly. It is a good idea to
always inquire with seller or the photographer on whether archival
print washing has occurred.
Insects
Keep an eye out for insects.
Insects have been known to eat the emulsion on prints, and are attracted
to certain types of glue such as wheat-flour paste. Also insect secretion
can stain a print. A properly framed photograph is your best protection.
If you see an insect in a framed photograph, remove it immediately and
check for others. If you store your photographs, occasional check the
storage area for nests of various kinds.
Earthquakes
Damage can be avoided by securely attaching frames to the wall.
There are several types of security hangers available, consult with you framer.
Make sure to use good quality picture hanging hooks and that they are securely
attached to the walls (preferably in a wooden wall stud).
Framing
Make sure you take your photographs to an framer that is
experienced in handling photographs and knows archival framing. If they
are not experienced, make sure that you stress to them the importance of
proper handling and framing.
Restoration
If your photograph is damaged and in need of repair,
consider your options carefully, sometimes it is best to leave as is,
because all restoration steps carry some risks. Proper framing, display
and storage may be your best option instead of restoration.
Moving Artworks
If you are involved with a major move, make sure
that you artwork is protected from the elements as well as uneducated
movers. Look out for weather problems, wrap your artworks in plastic to
prevent water damage and to protected frames use some cushiony material
like towels or blankets. Corner protectors (cardboard slip on corners) are also available or you
could completely wrap the artworks using bubble wrap, cardboard and tape.
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