Antique Photo

Antique photo storage?
what is the best way to store antique/b&w/old family photos?
I wondered the same thing a while ago and did some research. Here's what I turned up:
1) Do not store photos in an attic, basement, or garage. Photos exposed to temperature and/or humidity extremes become damaged, colors altered, and the images do not last as long as if they were kept in a more stable environment. Storing photos where people spend most of their time in the house works better, as people tend to stabilize the climate they live in.
2) Do not use any adhesives or clips that attach to the photos themselves. This goes for adhesive tape, rubberbands, paperclips, rubber cement, or the like. Using photo-safe photo corners is your best bet. This is because the adhesive on them is designed specifically for the album they are placed in, not the photos themselves.
3) Do not use any products with PVC or polyvinyl chloride. This is because this plastic emits a gas that damages the emulsion in photos and the silver in slides. You can find photo-safe plastic sleeves in photography supply stores.
4) If you are going to write on the back, use only grease pencils. You can find them in an art supply store or scrapbook store. Using any other writing implement alters the face of the photo over time.
5) Do not use magnetic or adhesive-backed photo albums. Yes, they are ubiquitous and inexpensive but over time the adhesive becomes permanent and it can be very difficult to remove the photos without damaging them.
6) If you know any factual information about the photo - date, names of subjects, location, day of the week, name of the event - write it on the back with a grease pencil or on a label around the photograph. This information becomes historically helpful over time.
7) If your photos will be stored in paper or cardboard, ensure the paper or cardboard is acid-free. Most paper we use everyday has acid in it because it naturally occurs in the plant material we use to make paper. Unfortunately, this paper yellows over time and can damage photos stored in it. Since this was discovered, manfacturers have produced acid-free paper which you can find in art supply stores, photography supply stores, and craft stores like Michaels Arts and Crafts.
I hope this information helps a bit. Good luck!
What Is On YouTube Today?
Artbeads.com Handy Tip - Floral Antique Photo Stand
Here Are Some Items From Amazon You Might Like.
![]() Neewer 110CM 43" 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc Light Reflector Sale Price: $12.98 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() NEEWER® 32" 80CM Portable 5 in 1 Translucent, Silver, Gold, White, and Black Collapsible Round Multi Disc Light Reflector for Studio or any Photography Situation! Sale Price: $5.24 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Professional 58mm Digital Tulip Flower Lens Hood For canon 18-55mm , 28-80mm , 28-90mm , 28-105mm , 55-250mm , 70-300mm , 75-300mm , 100-300mm , 50mm 1.4 , 85mm 1.8 with Lens cap Holder and Lens cleaning Kit Sale Price: $1.49 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() 2 PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO CONTINUOUS LIGHTING KITS W/ TWO FREE Day-Light CFL LIGHTS & UMBRELLAS FOR PRODUCT, PORTRAIT, & VIDEO SHOOT Sale Price: $31.49 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() CowboyStudio Photography/Video Studio Triple Lighting Kit with 10ft x 12ft Black, White and Green Muslins Backdrops and Background Support System with Case List Price: Sale Price: $121.99 You save: $68.01 (36%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Idirectmart Photo Tent Table Top Studio Light Photography Soft Box Kit - Size 19.5" Cube Sale Price: $29.49 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() LensPen NLP-1 List Price: Sale Price: $9.44 You save: $10.55 (53%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Cowboystudio Photography/Video Portrait Umbrella Continuous Triple Lighting Kit with Three Day Light CFL Bulbs, Umbrellas, Stands, and Carrying Case For Product, Portrait, and Video Shoots Sale Price: $59.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 3 months |
![]() CowboyStudio Photography and Video Continuous Triple Lighting Kit, Backdrop Support System, Black & White Muslin Backdrops, and Carry Case for Support System List Price: Sale Price: $109.99 You save: $26.01 (19%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
![]() Opteka Pocket-Sized Reference Color & White Balance Grey Card Set With Quick-Release Neck Strap for Digital Photography List Price: Sale Price: $9.95 You save: $30.04 (75%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
Items recently purchased on this site:
Thanks for visiting!


















































































Eligible for free shipping!








