How to Store Old Photos Properly and Back Them Up Digitally
As a general rule for photographs, low temperatures slow down the aging process. However, because historical and contemporary photographs are made of a wide variety of materials, their preservation is challenging. Digitization complements this protection but does not replace the original.
Appropriate storage location
For many photographic materials, a room with a temperature of 5–8 degrees Celsius and 20–30% humidity is considered ideal. Private homes cannot provide these conditions. An acceptable compromise is a temperature of 12–15 degrees and a humidity level of 20–40%, with fluctuations that are as small and gradual as possible. Light at 50 lux causes no damage; that is about as much light as a candle emits.
Choosing the Right Materials
Archival-quality clear sleeves do not contain plasticizers. They allow you to view the photographs without having to touch them.
Handle photos with care
Fingers leave marks on photographs that cannot be removed, not even by a professional. Therefore, it is best not to touch the surface, nor to write on it, stick Post-it notes on it, or do anything similar. Archivists always wear photographic gloves when working with photographic collections.
Back up digitally
Scan important photos in high resolution, but be sure to keep the originals as well. You can save the scans with the most important metadata included in the file names: Who is in the photo? Where, on what occasion, and approximately when was it taken?
If your photographs are stuck together, show signs of mold, or are severely damaged, it is advisable to seek expert advice.
