Need advice on how to protect photographs

[Michitoki]

Hi guys, I have a set of old pictures of the family I'd like to put in frames and scatter around the house. Most of the photos could not survive after a period of time. They all rotted and discolored, or the color bled, or became yellow. I really don't want the same thing happening to the rest of them since I can't replace these old photos. Please recommend me things I should do or should not do. I really don't know what to do when cleaning or storing photographs.

I wonder if it was the wooden back of the frame which damaged the photos, is it good to put a thin foam sheet behind the picture before closing the frame? I heard that plastic is bad for pictures.

Here's a photo of the foam sheet.



I hope to hear from you guys soon, thank you so much.

 

[The_Traveler]

Use archival mat boards for support

 

[ann]

Traditional photos are framed in metal not wood as wood gases out and can damage the photo.

Use a "window" to protect the photo from the glass. Never place the image up against the glass and us archival boards for the window and as lew indiactes for the backboard as well.

 

[tirediron]

If these images are genuinely precious, then spend a little money and have them scanned and printed on modern archival paper (this will also allow you to correct for yellowing, fading, damage, etc). Take the originals and place them in an archival storage box in a dark, dry location.

 

[ann]

add cold to dark and dry.

 

[Michitoki]

Thanks so much for your help!

I'd like to ask if it's possible to avoid contact with the glass if the frame is the same size as the photo? And what kind of paper or material should I use to support at the back?

I will definitely scan them if needed but I'd love to preserve the origins :'(

 

[KmH]

Back the photos with archival, acid free, rag mount board. Mounting Board from Crescent Cardboard

They make clear spacers that will keep the front of a print from being in contact with the glazing.

Better still is to get larger frames. Use an archival, acid free, rag mat the size of the larger frames that has a window cut in it that is 1/4 inch smaller than the print you want to frame.
The mat keeps the print from contacting the glazing. Conservation Matboard from Crescent Cardboard

Do not put photos in wood frames.

Scan the originals. Have prints made (COPIES) from the scans so the image is the same size as the originals
Have the prints made on large photo paper so the blank paper borders can be used to facilitates mounting and matting a print for framing.

Frame the copies. Store the originals flat between sheets of acid free paper, in a cold, dry, place.

A Consumer Guide to Materials for Preservation Framing and the Display of Photographic Images

 

[Light Guru]

If these images are genuinely precious, then spend a little money and have them scanned and printed on modern archival paper (this will also allow you to correct for yellowing, fading, damage, etc). Take the originals and place them in an archival storage box in a dark, dry location.

This. ^^^

And then place the originals in archival photo sleeves.

 

[Michitoki]

Oh wow all of my frames are wood . Thanks you so much, I learned a lot.

By the way, is it possible to scan the picture in Walmart or any photo studio? Is the quality the same as the origin?

 

[KmH]

The highest quality scans are obtained using a drum scanner. I doubt your local Walmart has a drum scanner.
Your profile has no location indicated. But look for a professional print lab for having the photographs scanned.

Preserving the photographs will not be inexpensive.

 

[Light Guru]

The highest quality scans are obtained using a drum scanner. I doubt your local Walmart has a drum scanner.
Your profile has no location indicated. But look for a professional print lab for having the photographs scanned.

Preserving the photographs will not be inexpensive.

I would not put a fragile photographic print on a drum scanner. The curve of the drum would not be good for the print.