For those of you who have old antique black-and-white photographs and who display them (e.g. on the living room walls), have you noticed any perceptible fading over the years?
I have some large antique photos that I'd like to hang on my walls, and although I know black-and-white photos are generally quite stable to light exposure, I'm still wary as the room will still be flooded with indirect sunlight (through windows).
Ordinarily, if these were photos that only mattered to me, I would probably hang them. But they are eventually going to a museum. The curator insists that I keep them in the dark, but museum people are usually overly conservative, so I thought of asking for some real-life experiences.
I've thought of making reproductions to hang and keeping the originals in dark storage, but reproductions just don't look like silver-gelatin.
Displaying photographs
Re: Displaying photographs
Why not reproductions made with silver gelatin? Though they are not available at Walgreens or Costco they can be done by some photographers and there are sources on-line. Google "gelatin silver photograph duplicate" (without quotes).
The closest helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
Re: Displaying photographs
Thank you, but if you are talking about DigitalSilverImaging, I tried them and don't like it. It doesn't come out looking like the antique silver-gelatin prints I have. Not quite sure why, but even on the fibre based paper they use, there's a glossiness to the photograph that's quite distracting. I think it's because it's processed from a digital file as the source, rather than true darkroom processing from negative.
I have a couple of prints from the 1910s where you can see ten thousand different shades of black. It's quite amazing. It makes me want to pick up film photography and darkroom processing
Re: Displaying photographs
It sounds like you really like the photos. I’d say enjoy them like the photographer probably intended. Once it goes to a museum they may not even be displayed.
I am not familiar with the science behind discoloration of photos, but you may be able to limit uv exposure by tinting windows, better light bulbs in the room, better glass for the frame, or only display in lower light months.
I am not familiar with the science behind discoloration of photos, but you may be able to limit uv exposure by tinting windows, better light bulbs in the room, better glass for the frame, or only display in lower light months.
Re: Displaying photographs
Your best alternative may be to find an "old school" photographer that can photographically produce a "real" negative and then get a silver gelatin print made from that, hopefully by the same photographer. Digital cameras have been popular for over 20 years so finding someone with the right skill-set, and equipment, might be difficult. You'll have to ever vigilant for someone trying to cover their "pixel" tracks.
The closest helping hand is at the end of your own arm.
Re: Displaying photographs
Yeah... well processed analog B&W images can be gorgeous.... Try some UV/Nonreflective glass in front and see if you like the look.... its not the same as no glass but depends on photograph and your preference...
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Rob |
Its a dangerous business going out your front door. - J.R.R.Tolkien
- quantAndHold
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Re: Displaying photographs
I love old photos.
Besides UV protective glass, make sure all the framing materials are archival. Light is not the only thing that can damage prints. I would take it to a professional that can do museum quality framing and explain your concerns.
Besides UV protective glass, make sure all the framing materials are archival. Light is not the only thing that can damage prints. I would take it to a professional that can do museum quality framing and explain your concerns.
- lthenderson
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Re: Displaying photographs
I digitized mine and put them in a digital frame that rotates the pictures on a set interval.