Ways To Safeguard Your Old Photographs

Photographs are a great way to store unforgettable moments and take a trip down memory lane. However, when the ones printed on paper become old, it is tempting to throw them away, especially in a world dominated by digital images. Although it is easier to organize, store, and share digital photos, hardcopy snapshots are links to your history and heritage and deserve to be preserved in the right way. Moreover, considering that a single person will have 7 - 8 albums in their lifetime, it is even more important to ensure that these images stand the test of time. Here are some ideas to safeguard your old photos.

Store Prints & Films in Archival-Quality Sheet Storage

The type of storage used can significantly impact the proper preservation of old photographs. Archival-quality materials are acid-free and come in the form of photo-safe boxes, albums, and sleeves. Such materials are created with long-term preservation in mind, so you can count on them to do the job. Even with the best archival-quality material, remember to store old photographs in a cool, dark, and dry environment where the elements will not hinder the efforts made with your storage ideas. 

Old printed photographs tend to deteriorate easily because the technology at the time wasn’t as foolproof as it is now. New technologies are released annually and are improvements over obsolete ones. Therefore, it will be advisable to leverage current technology incorporated into the production of archival-quality materials. For example, some are created with moisture-resistant features to protect your old printed photographs. It will also help to consider where to keep these archival-quality materials. The attic may not be ideal due to the risk of inadequate insulation. Therefore, consider using a lockable cupboard or set of drawers as storage.

Handle with Care

Have you ever handled an old printed photograph only to have the black and white surface smear your fingers? Color disintegration happens a lot with old photographs due to various factors, such as heat, moisture, and other chemical processes. However, there is a way to salvage what’s left. Always hold old printed photographs along the top or bottom edges. Never run your fingers across the printed images, as that alone can ruin the surface.

Moreover, oils, dirt, and sweat from your hands will be transferred to the prints and contribute to further degradation. The best thing to do before handling them is to wash your hands and preferably wear cotton gloves to touch old photographs. Any smooth fabric pair of gloves will be ideal because they are less likely to leave scratches and fingerprints. These are time-tested precautions used in museums, old art galleries, and photo libraries. The more cautious you are, the longer these physical copies will remain.

Digitize your photos

Digitizing your old photographs serves as a backup and also opens up avenues for enhancement and restoration. Old printed photographs show signs of deterioration due to material aging and environmental factors. The chances of your unborn children or grandchildren coming to see these old photographs will be greatly reduced when damage sets in. On the other hand, digital photos will last forever as long as you properly scan and store them on credible online platforms or servers.

Scanning pictures goes beyond running the prints through the machine. On the contrary, you must scan old photographs at a high resolution to capture the fine details likely to be lost over time. It is recommended to organize the digital files with metadata like dates, names of persons in the picture, location, and so on. Digitizing your old photographs makes them easier to share with friends and family who may be interested in accessing a piece of history. If you want a reliable platform to organize your treasured digital copies, you can try various options like the 64cousins website among others.

This is a great holiday gift, by the way - so if you’re thinking of a last-minute Christmas gift, maybe offer to digitize your family’s photos while you’re home.

Consult Professional Photo Restoration Experts

Some households prefer the history that comes with old photographs and want to keep them in their original state. However, these treasured pictures can start to fade and discolor at one point in time or another. In such cases, the best thing is to see a professional for restoration. These are specialists whose services can breathe new life into cherished prints on the verge of damage. These companies rely on advanced techniques and technologies to repair tears, remove stains, and enhance faded colors, almost similar to the restoration of old art pieces. Revitalized photographs can last for many more years, especially when some restoration services reinforce the paper used for the printing. You don’t have to worry about a photo enhancement or restoration affecting the originality of the images. A professional job ensures that the emotional narrative captured in the printouts remains unaffected for many more years.

Have any of your own tips? Sound off in the comments below.