Photo Restorations by Best Photo Repair   CARING FOR OLD PHOTOS . . . The abundance of photographs in our lives permits us to forget that they are truly fragile objects that can easily be damaged by improper storage, careless handling, and exposure to the environment. To help you preserve and protect these historic treasures, we'd like to offer these important tips and suggestions gathered from various sources. STORAGE . . . When possible, keep photographs in enclosures that protect them from light and dust and provide physical support during display or use. Chemically stable plastic or paper enclosures, free of sulfur, acids, and peroxides, are recommended. Plastic sleeves should be constructed of uncoated polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene. For most photographic materials, unbuffered paper enclosures are preferred over buffered enclosures. Alkaline buffering is added to archival storage papers to absorb acidity from the stored material or the environment surrounding it. However, some photographs may be altered by the buffering in alkaline papers, so unbuffered paper is recommended for most processes. Film-based negatives, which can produce acidic gasses as they age, should be placed in archival, buffered enclosures and stored separately from other photographic materials. Store cased objects, such as daguerreotypes and ambrotypes, in their original cases or frames with the addition of custom-made, four-flap paper enclosures to reduce wear and tear on fragile cases. Place individually housed prints, negatives, and cased objects in acid-free, durable boxes that will afford further protection from light, dust, and potential environmental fluctuations. The storage of photographs in albums serves the dual purpose of organizing groups of images while protecting them from physical and environmental damage. Albums can be wonderful sources of historic and genealogical information. Preserve them intact when possible and store them in custom-fitted archival boxes. For the storage of family photographs, albums constructed with archival materials are available from conservation suppliers. Magnetic or self-adhesive albums can be detrimental to photographs and should not be used. HANDLING PHOTOGRAPHS . . . Most damage to photographs results from poor handling. A well-organized and properly housed collection promotes respect for the photographs and appropriate care in handling. When images can be located quickly, there is less possibility of physical damage. The enclosures should be designed in relation to the intended use of the photographs, as well as their type and condition. Establish handling procedures and adhere to them whenever photographs are being used. View photographs in a clean, uncluttered area, and handle them with clean hands. Wear white cotton gloves to lessen the possibility of leaving fingerprints and soiling the materials; however, gloves may reduce the manual dexterity of the user. Keep photographs covered when they are not being viewed immediately. Do not use ink pens around photographic materials. Mark enclosures with pencil only. If it is necessary to mark a photograph, write lightly with a soft lead pencil on the back of the image. DISPLAYING PHOTOGRAPHS . . . Photographs should always be protected from extended exposure to intense light sources. Limit exhibition times, control light exposure, and monitor the condition of the photographs carefully. Prolonged display of photographs is not recommended. It is important to note that a microenvironment is created when a photograph is placed in a frame for exhibition. Use unbuffered ragboard mats, and frame photographs with archivally sound materials. Use ultraviolet filtering plexiglass to help protect the photographs during light exposure. Reproduce vulnerable or unique images and display the duplicate image; in this way, the original photograph can be properly stored and preserved. HOUSEKEEPING GUIDELINES . . . An overlooked area of maintenance is keeping areas where photographs are handled or stored clean and pest-free. Paper fibers, albumen, and gelatin binders in photographic materials provide an attractive food source for rodents and insects. It is vital that collections areas be free from debris that might entice pests that can damage treasured photographs. Food and beverages should not be allowed. Apart from the potential for attracting pests, accidental spills can damage most photographs. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS . . . Disaster preparedness begins by evaluating the storage location and the potential for damage in the event of a flood, fire, or other disaster. It is vital that you create a disaster preparedness plan that addresses the specific needs of the photo collection before a disaster occurs. The location and manner in which photographs are housed can be the first line of defense. Identify photographic materials that are at higher risk of damage or loss. Remove all potentially damaging materials such as paper clips and poor-quality enclosures. Store negatives and prints in separate locations to decrease the possibility of an image being detroyed forever in a catastrophe. If a disaster does occur, stay calm. If possible, protect the collection from damage by covering it with plastic sheeting and/or removing it from the affected area. Evaluate the situation and document the damage that has occurred. Contact a conservator as soon as possible for assistance and advice on the recovery and repair of damaged materials. COMMON CONCERNS AND SOLUTIONS . . . The following problems are often encountered in photographic collections: Torn, broken, or cracked photographs: If the main support of a photograph sustains serious damage, carefully place it in a polyester sleeve with an archival board support. If a photograph has a flaking binder layer or friable surface treatments, such as the pastel coloring often seen on crayon enlargements, place it in a shallow box, not a polyester sleeve. Do not use pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes to repair torn or damaged photographs. Consult a photographic materials conservator to perform repairs. Soiled photographs or negatives: Brush soiled photographs carefully with a clean, soft brush. Proceed from the center of the photograph outward toward the edges. Do not clean photos with water- or solvent-based cleaners, such as window cleaner or film cleaner. Improper cleaning materials will cause serious and often irreversible damage, such as permanent abrasion, alteration, staining, or loss of binder and image. Photographs or negatives adhered to enclosures: High-humidity environments or direct exposure to liquids will cause photographs to adhere to frame glass or other enclosure materials. This can be a difficult problem to solve, and great care must be taken to reduce the possibility of further damage. If a photograph becomes attached to adjacent materials, consult a photographic materials conservator before attempting to remove the adhered materials. - American Institute of Conservation   BEST PHOTO REPAIR