Conservation
From Silvergrain Labs
This section describes conservation of b&w photographic images, with emphais on the storage and handling. For archival processing of b&w material, refer to archival process. For testing of processed film and prints for residual thiosulfate, refer to residual thiosulfate tests. Other aspects of fixing baths, consult fixer.
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Storage condition
Generally, most modern black-and-white materials can be safely stored at relative humidity of 30-40% and 0-20˚C. The air must be clean and free of nitrogen oxides (NOx's), sulfur dioxide, ozone, peroxide, and other oxidizing gasses. They can be brought to the room by many ways, such as adhesive, non-archival paper containers, fresh paints, plastic wrapping materials, hair dyes, automobile exhaust, and other sources. In the timespan of 10 to 100 years, even a small quantity, on the order of parts per billion, these compounds can deteriorate silver image.
Cellulose triacetate films
For b&w material (silver image), it is best to keep the relative humidity (RH) between 15 and 40%, and temperature below 20˚C. For medium-term (c. 10 years) storage, RH up to 60% and temperature up to 32˚C may be used.
Polyester films
For b&w image on polyester films, there is no advantage for RH below 30%, so recommended humidity range is 30-40% (archival) or 30-60% (10 years).
Prints
For b&w prints, the current ISO standard recommends maximum RH of 50% and maximum temperature of 18˚C.
Literature
- Bard, C. C. 1988. Conservation of images. J. Photo. Sci., 36, 99-103.
- Anderson, S. and Goetting, R. 1988. Environmental effects on the image stability of photographic products. J. Imaging Tech. 14, 111-116.
- Adelstein, P. Z. 1986. Status of permanence standards. J. Imaging Tech., 12, 52-56.
- Anderson, S. I. and Ellison, R. L. 1990. Image stability of black-and-white photographic products. J. Imaging Tech., 16, 27-32.
- Reilly, J. M. 1992. A summary of recent research at the Image Permanence Institute (1992).
- Bigourdan, J.-L., Adelstein, P. Z., and Reilly, J. M. (c. 1997 date unknown) Moisture and temperature equilibration: behavior and practical significance in photographic film preservation. Preprint IPI report.
- Henk J. Porck and René Teygeler
- (12/00, 74pp) $20
- (available for free in PDF from the above link)
- ISBN 1-887334-80-7
Ryhl-Svendsen, Morten, 1999.
Pollution in the photographic archive - a practical approach to the problem, Preprint from the 9th International Congress of IADA, Copenhagen, August 15 - 21, 211-216.
http://www.imagepermanenceinstitute.org/shtml_sub/dl_pubdownloads.shtml
IPI Media Storage Quick Reference
IPI Storage Guide for Acetate Film
A Consumer Guide to Traditional and Digital Print Stability
