Frequently Asked Questions on Caring for Photographs, Digital Images and Films
by Christopher Dicks, Assistant Audio and Video Conservator, Library and Archives Canada, Music Division
For many of us, our photographs, family films and digital images are important mementos. We want to be able to
enjoy them throughout the years. However, many of us do not know how to properly care for and preserve these
media. To ensure the best protection, this FAQ will answer such questions as >the best media to use when printing
digital images or how to transfer old films (such as 8mm) to videotapes. The advantages and disadvantages of
storing images digitally as opposed to on film will also be explained. As well, some pointers will be given on
how to deal with old photographs that are cracked, bent and fading, or even mouldy.
Can I "process" my digital camera photos into glossy prints or slides as I can traditional camera film?
You may purchase "photographic quality" printer paper in computer stores. Printing on this paper makes
printouts look much like photographs. As well, digital images can be printed on silver halide paper using a photo
printer. The printer exposes this true photo paper, which must then be developed at a photolab as is a conventional
photograph. Another method used by photographic service companies exposes analog film by projecting the
digital image onto it - much like one would in a darkroom.
I have old 8mm films. Can they be transferred to videotape? Which tape is best? IS videotape the best choice?
The three ways of transferring film to videotape are:
Project the film as usual and videotape the screen as the film runs.
Pay a film/video duplication company that either has an integrated film projector/video recorder machine
or which will videotape from a screen as in the first example.
Purchase or rent a film scanner and piece each scanned frame image into a digital movie, which you can
then send to a VHS or other videotape recorder. This can be a laborious process. If there is sound on the film,
this will complicate things immensely.
While these methods are available, film tends to be more stable and have greater longevity than VHS or other
magnetic tapes. If you are going to copy film to VHS, do not throw out the original film because it may actually
last longer than the copy. Film can also be repaired using specialized cements and filler materials. However, this
is a job for a professional film conservator or other film professional.
Remember also that film-to-film copies can be made from films through a process that places blank film stock in
direct contact with the original in a liquid medium and directs light through the original frame-by-frame to expose
the stock.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of storing images digitally as opposed to on film?
Advantages:
Digital images will not fade or become brittle as long as the data are protected and are re-recorded (digitally
copied) at intervals to other media or other units of the same medium.
You can alter digital images, if desired, in copies of the original. You may improve their exposure digitally,
while retaining the original as well.
It might require less space to store many hard disks full of images, all housed on one computer, than to store
multiple albums or boxes of photos.
Everyone you know can receive a copy of your images at absolutely no cost provided that:
They already own a portable hard drive compatible with your system that you can copy onto; OR
You can create CDs and other discs with these files on them or you can send e-mail file attachments that
their system is capable of reading; OR
You can send the photo to them by FTP (file transfer protocol) over the Internet.
Disadvantages:
Digital images are more limited in their variety of colours than film is.
You will need to replace your digital storage media regularly (which translates into cost, effort and time).
You presently require a computer to look at digital images, but processed photographs are "human readable"
and access to them is uncomplicated. Film slides can be projected perhaps more cheaply than digital images
(through equipment rental or purchase). Some would argue that film slides look better than digital images.
High-resolution digital files require a great deal of storage space, but even these have less resolution than
images on film. Resolution is the level of visible detail that is made possible by the number of silver halide
particles in the photographic paper combined with how small those particles are. In a digital file, the pixels
of the computer screen become the equivalent of silver halide particles. The amount of detail in a digital file
depends on how many pixels were used to record the colour information. A digital file made with a low
resolution will force the computer to repeat colours from one pixel to the next so that the image occupies the
whole screen. While high resolution digital files look the best and are desired by most photographers, limits
to hard drive space and the length of time required to open a high-resolution file lead many users to choose
a lower resolution.
My old photos are cracking, bending and fading. Some are even mouldy. What can I do?
If your photographs are mouldy, then cleaning them is probably best left to a professional photograph conservator
for the sake of protecting your health because exposure to mould can be a health hazard.
Consult a professional photograph conservator if you need advice or if you wish to have conservation work
performed on your photographs. While a government conservator may be able to answer your questions for free,
a private conservator is the only one available who can perform conservation work on your personal photographs.
You may be able to protect your cracking photographs by storing them in clear Mylar sleeves to give them support
and to reduce the friction of handling them.
You also have the option of scanning your photographs as digital images onto your computer and reprinting
them. Alternately you can photograph your delicate photos or have them photographed by a professional. If you
are thinking of rephotographing your photos, don't forget that you can also film, videotape or digitally photograph
the originals.
If you need professional conservation help, please contact
the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators:
CAPC
c/o Canadian Museums Association
Suite 400, 280 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa ON K2P 1R7
Tel.: (613) 567-0099
Fax: (613) 233-5438 http://www.capc-acrp.ca/index.htm
For further queries on various areas of conservation, please visit: Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Internet site (English and French): http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/
