Care of Black-and-White Photographic Prints – Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 16/4

CCI Note 16/4 is part of CCI Notes Series 16 (Care of Photographic Materials)

Introduction

Black-and-white photographic prints are found in most museums, art galleries, and archives. There are many kinds of prints, each with its own format, process, imaging materials, image tone, base material, surface gloss, and texture. This Note is concerned with prints on paper or on resin-coated (RC) paper for which the image-forming substance consists of microscopic particles of silver. With the exception of pictures dating from the beginning of photography (the so-called salted paper prints from the late 1830s to the mid 1860s), the image silver is embedded in a thin layer that may consist of albumen, collodion, or gelatin. Gelatin has

Photographic prints with silver images fall into one of three categories, according to the nature of the support material:

1. Salted paper prints on a paper base not specifically formulated for photographic purpose; they have no distinct image layer in a binding medium
2. Fibre-base prints, made by a handful of manufacturers from the 1860s to the present
3. Contemporary resin-coated prints (or RC papers) introduced in the late 1960s

Prints in the last two groups have an image layer coated on one side of the paper support. These photographs are often collectively referred to as "silver prints."

Little is known about the properties of early salted paper prints. These prints are more sensitive to agents of deterioration than are later materials. Because of the absence of a distinct image layer, they are liable to suffer from abrasion. Also, the silver particles that form the image are susceptible to an oxidation reaction that leads to discoloration of the picture.

Fibre-base silver prints are made on a paper base that ranks among the highest in quality and permanence. They are sometimes referred to as baryta papers^{Endnote 1}.

Like all photographic records that contain elemental silver, the image is susceptible to discoloration if exposed to aggressive chemical reagents even though it is on a stable support. This group of prints may be subdivided into those printed on printing-out papers and those on developing-out papers. Each is manufactured and processed differently, which results in differences in size and shape of the silver particles in the image. Consequently, images on printing-out papers — which include salted paper prints, albumen prints, collodiochloride papers, and certain silver gelatin prints — are more susceptible to image deterioration caused by chemical attack than are photographs on developing-out papers.

Although RC prints are developed-out, they possess special properties related to the plastic coating on either side of the paper base. This enables them to be processed in a few minutes and to yield dry, flat prints. However, they are considered less suitable for preserving images over extended periods of time (i.e. hundreds of years) than are conventional baryta papers.

Preservation and Storage

Uniform low relative humidity (RH), a constant temperature, and the absence of reactive pollutants in the atmosphere are key requirements for long-term preservation of photographic prints. Excessively dry conditions cause prints to curl up tightly. If this has occurred, exposing the curled prints to high RH will allow them to relax and unfold. Properly processed prints on fibre-base paper are essentially stable when exposed to dry heat. Nevertheless, avoid such conditions because of the possible presence of aggressive chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide, peroxides, ozone, and sulphur dioxide. The combination of any of these with either high RH or high temperature will lead invariably to discoloration of the image.

According to recommendations published by the International Organization for Standardization, RH levels between 30% and 50% are acceptable for storing photographic prints. RH should never exceed 60%, and recent research indicates that 30–35% RH is optimum. Temperature may range from 15°C to 25°C, but must never exceed 30°C. Avoid daily fluctuations of more than 4°C. Cold-storage conditions, even below 0°C, are beneficial to the longevity of photographic prints.

In all of the CCI Notes on the preservation of photographic images, the suggested storage conditions are those recommended by the International Organization for Standardization. While these are useful guidelines, they are not etched in stone. They are reviewed by the corresponding committees about every 5 years. In addition, studies have been published on the modifications and possible improvements of these guidelines. For some fascinating discussions on storage conditions for photographs, see Johnsen (1994), Mecklenburg et al. (1994), McCormick-Goodhart (1996), and Reilly (1996).

Since photographic prints are usually kept in the dark for long-term storage (i.e. in envelopes, boxes, or albums), exposure to light is not a problem in their preservation unless they are put on display.

It is best to air-dry black-and-white photographic prints that have been immersed in water (e.g. during a flood or as a result of efforts to extinguish a fire). They can also be frozen safely as a conservation measure, and can be kept frozen until they can be freeze-dried in a vacuum chamber. However, a treatment cycle consisting of freezing, thawing, and vacuum-drying is not recommended because gelatin layers may block and stick.

Handling

Photographic prints are often used for study and research. Always wear protective lintless nylon or cotton gloves when handling prints. Sleeve or matt prints to prevent damage to their corners and edges.

The appearance and integrity of the surface of a photographic print are major factors in its aesthetic value. Surface properties are described in such terms as gloss, matte, lustre, and texture. They, along with the image tone, are inherent characteristics of a photographic print. Disturbing or destroying these delicate surface qualities will change the aesthetic value of the print.

Inscriptions written in ink are liable to fade when photographs are on display, and will invariably bleed and become illegible if they are accidentally immersed in water. If identifying information must be written on a photograph, write it on the back, as close to the edge as possible, using an HB pencil. For best protection, place each print first in an uncoated polyester sleeve (e.g. made of polyethylene terephthalate such as Melinex 516) and then in a paper envelope. Write all necessary documentation on the envelope before inserting the print. Do not staple or attach other documents to photographs with paper clips. Do not bend, fold, or roll photographs.

Minimal Cleaning

Accumulated surface dirt can be removed in most cases with a soft brush. If the print surface appears to be intact, dry clean it using a special cleaning pad. Do not wash photographs in water unless the stability of the gelatin layer has been confirmed. Do not attempt chemical treatments in aqueous solutions because they could remove retouching.

Display

Prepare photographic prints for exhibition carefully. Physically support valuable prints by hinging them to a museum-quality board and matting them with a window mat, in much the same way as works of art on paper. The window mat acts as a spacer to prevent the print surface from coming into direct contact with the cover glass. Without the window mat, moisture could cause the print and the glass to stick together. For details of this and of other techniques for mounting works of art on paper, refer to CCI Notes 11/5 Matting Works on Paper.

Many fine-art photographers have dry-mounted their prints in the past and continue to do so. There is no evidence that dry-mounting photographic prints causes the silver image to degrade. Although it produces well-mounted, perfectly flat prints, dry-mounting has the disadvantage of being, practically speaking, irreversible. Manufacturers claim that dry-mounted prints can be dismounted by reheating them in a press, but this procedure is not safe for prints.

All photographic prints including silver gelatin prints, salted paper prints, albumen prints, and contemporary RC papers are susceptible to damage caused by the ultraviolet (UV) component of light. Therefore, when displaying photographic prints, maintain the UV level below 75 µW/lumen. Never expose photographs of any kind, whether black-and-white or colour, to direct sunlight.

There is no published evidence that light alone causes black-and-white photographic images to discolour or fade. Well-processed silver gelatin photographic prints on fibre-base paper are essentially stable to light. Therefore, they may be displayed for several weeks or even a few months at what would normally be considered, in a museum context, very high light levels (approximately 800 Å 200 lux) without danger of deterioration. This, however, is not true for salted paper prints, albumen prints, and contemporary RC papers, which are much more sensitive to light.

It is reasonable to assume that paper prints from the early days of photography were processed less scrupulously than more recent prints, which benefit from the knowledge that some residual processing chemicals contribute to the deterioration of silver images. Albumen prints are prone to changes in density^{Endnote 2} upon prolonged exposure to light. Quantitatively expressed, density changes appear in the form of fading, discoloration, or staining. RC prints are also susceptible to changes caused by light while they are on display. Most fine-art photographers are aware of the limitations of RC papers and use fibre-base papers that allow their prints to be exhibited safely. Recommended light levels for exhibiting salted paper prints and albumen prints vary from 5 lux to 100 lux.

In the absence of firm guidelines for exhibiting potentially vulnerable photographs, use innovative methods to protect them while on display. For example, drape a black felt cloth over a photograph on display; the viewer must lift the felt to see the picture. Alternatively, design an exhibition case fitted with a hinged cover so that when the viewer opens the cover a light above the case switches on automatically.

Monitor densities of prints by measuring highlight areas, mid-tones, and shadow regions. Compare density readings of photographic prints before and after an exhibition period. This is particularly useful for prints on loan to other institutions. Complete condition reports, including such density measurements, are the only sure way to determine whether or not the image has changed.

Suppliers

Note: The following information is provided only to assist the reader. Inclusion of a company in this list does not in any way imply endorsement by the Canadian Conservation Institute.

Soft brushes, special cleaning pads (e.g. Cleaning Pads for Draftsmen and Artists from Faber-Castell)

local art stores

General conservation supplies and materials, and prints and storage sleeves

• ARCHIVAL PRODUCTS.ca
  Division of B.F.B.. Sales Ltd.
  2957 Inlake Court
  Mississauga ON L5N 2A4
  Canada
  telephone: 905-858-7888 or 1-800-667-2632
  fax: 905-858-8586 or 1-800-616-0342

• Carr McLean
  461 Horner Avenue
  Toronto ON M8W 4X2
  Canada
  telephone: 416-252-3371 or 1-800-268-2123
  fax: 416-252-9203 or 1-800-871-2397

• Conservation Resources International
  5532 Port Royal Road
  Springfield VA 22151
  USA
  telephone: 703-321-7730 or 1-800-634-6932
  fax: 703-321-0629

• Talas
  20 West 20th Street, 5th Floor
  New York NY 10011
  USA
  telephone: 212-219-0770
  fax: 212-219-0735

• Woolfitt's Art Enterprises Inc.
  1153 Queen Street West
  Toronto ON M6J 1J4
  Canada
  telephone: 1-800-490-3567

Bibliography

• Adelstein, P.Z. IPI Media Storage Quick Reference. Rochester, NY: Image Permanence Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2004.

• Bigelow, S. Cold Storage of Photographs at the City of Vancouver Archives. A report prepared for the Canadian Council of Archives Preservation Committee, March 2004.

• Coe, B., and M. Haworth-Booth. A Guide to Early Photographic Processes. London, UK: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1983.

• Deck, N.C. "The Permanence of Photographic Prints as Tested by Tropical Climates." British Journal of Photography (1923), pp. 222–223.

• Eastman Kodak Company. Copying and Duplicating in Black-and-White and Color. Kodak Publication M-1. Rochester, NY: Eastman Kodak Company, 1984.

• Eastman Kodak Company. Conservation of Photographs. Kodak Publication F-40. Rochester, NY: Eastman Kodak Company, 1985.

• Eaton, G.T. "Preservation, Deterioration, Restoration of Photographic Images." The Library Quarterly 40, 1 (1970), pp. 85–99.

• Feldman, L.H. "Discoloration of Black-and-White Photographic Prints." Journal of Applied Photographic Engineering 7, 1 (1981), pp. 1–9.

• Gladstone, J.S. "Fugacity of Bromide Prints." British Journal of Photography (1982), p. 484.

• Hendriks, K.B. "Recovery of Photograph Collections Following a Flood." pp. 15–28 in Sauvegarde et Conservation des Photographies, Dessins, Imprimés et Manuscrits. Actes des Journées Internationales d'Études de l'ARSAG. Paris, 30 September to 4 October 1991. Paris: ARSAG, 1991.

• Hendriks, K.B., B. Thurgood, J. Iraci, B. Lesser, and G. Hill. Fundamentals of Photograph Conservation: A Study Guide. Toronto, ON: Lugus Publications, 1991.

• International Organization for Standardization. ISO 18920:2000. Imaging Materials — Processed Photographic Reflection Prints — Storage Practices. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization, 2000.

• International Organization for Standardization. ISO 18902:2001. Imaging Materials — Processed Photographic Films, Plates and Papers — Filing Enclosures and Storage Containers. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization, 2001.

• International Organization for Standardization. ISO 18929:2003. Imaging Materials — Wet-Processed Silver-Gelatin Type Black-and-White Photographic Reflection Prints — Specifications for Dark Storage. Geneva, Switzerland: International Organization for Standardization, 2003.

• Johnsen, J.S. "Surveying Large Collections of Photographs for Archival Survival." pp. 202–206 in Preventive Conservation: Practice, Theory and Research. Preprints of the Contributions to the Ottawa Congress, 12–16 September 1994. London, UK: International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, 1994.

• Kaspar, K.B., and R. Wanka. "Chemical Formulations and Requirements of Photographic Paper." Journal of Applied Photographic Engineering 7, 3 (1981), pp. 67–72.

• Kolf, G. "Modern Photographic Papers." British Journal of Photography 127, 6244 and 6245 (1980), pp. 296–299, 316–319.

• Mathey, R.G., et al. Air Quality Criteria for Storage of Paper-Based Archival Records. NBSIR 83-2795. Washington, DC: National Bureau of Standards, 1983.

• Mecklenburg, M.F., M. McCormick-Goodhart, and C.S. Tumosa. "Investigation into the Deterioration of Paintings and Photographs Using Computerized Modeling of Stress Development." Journal of the American Institute of Conservation 55, 2 (1994), pp. 153–170.

• McCormick-Goodhart, M.H. "The Allowable Temperature and Relative Humidity Range for the Safe Use and Storage of Photographic Materials." Journal of the Society of Archivists 17, 1 (1996), pp. 7–21.

• Parsons, T.F., G.G. Gray, and I.H. Crawford. "To RC or Not to RC." Journal of Applied Photographic Engineering 5, 2 (1979), pp. 110–117.

• Reilly, J.M. Care and Identification of 19th-Century Photographic Prints. Kodak Publication G-2S. Rochester, NY: Eastman Kodak Company, 1986.

• Reilly, J.M. IPI Storage Guide for Acetate Film. Rochester, NY: Image Permanence Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1996.

• Ritzenthaler, M.L., G.J. Munoff, and M.S. Long. Archives and Manuscripts : Administration of Photographic Collections. SAA Basic Manual Series. Chicago, IL : Society of American Archivists, 1984.

• Smith, M.A. Matting and Hinging Works of Art on Paper. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, 1981.

• Trumm, A. "Die Herstellung Photographischer Papiere" [The Manufacture of Photographic Papers"]. pp. 280–328 in Handbuch der wissenschaftlichen und angewandten Photographie, vol. 4 (edited by Alfred Hay). Wien : Verlag von Julius Springer, 1930.

• Weyde, E. "A Simple Test to Identify Gases which Destroy Silver Images." Photographic Science and Engineering 16, (1972), pp. 283–286.

• Woodward, A.I. "The Evolution of Photographic Base Papers." Journal of Applied Photographic Engineering 7, 4 (1981), pp. 117–120.

by Klaus B. Hendriks
revised by Joe Iraci

Originally published 1986
Revised 1996, 2007

Copies are also available in French.
Texte également publié en version française.

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2007
Cat. Nº NM95-57/16-4-2007E
ISSN 0714-6221