A guide to the preventive conservation of photograph collections / Bertrand Lavédrine ; with the collaboration of Jean-Paul Gandolfo and Sibylle Monod ; translated from the French by Sharon Grevet.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lavédrine, Bertrand.

Contributor:

Gandolfo, Jean-Paul.

Monod, Sibylle.

Getty Conservation Institute.

Language:

English

French

Subjects (All):

Photographs--Conservation and restoration.

Photographs.

Photograph collections--Conservation and restoration.

Photograph collections.

Physical Description:

xvi, 286 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Los Angeles : Getty Conservation Institute, [2003]

Summary:

A Guide to the Preventive Conservation of Photograph Collections synthesizes and distills the vast body of recent research in the conservation of the photographic heritage. The authors review the remarkable developments that have led to a new understanding of both the fragility of photographs and the means available to preserve them. Originally published in France, this volume is now available in English, intended as a practical handbook for conservators, curators, collection managers, and others interested in preserving our photographic legacy.

Contents:

Part 1 Understanding

Chapter 1 The Vulnerability of Photographs 3

Image Degradation 6

The Black-and-White Gelatin Silver Photograph 6

The Color Photograph 10

Binder Degradation 14

Microorganisms and Insects 16

Physical Degradation 16

Base Degradation 16

Transparent Bases 16

Opaque Bases 23

Chapter 2 Standards 31

Processing and Preserving Photographs 31

Evaluating the Permanence of Materials 33

Life Expectancy 33

Light Stability 36

Stability of Computer Printouts 37

Quality of Paper and Board Enclosures 37

Mounting Photographs 39

Preservation Practice Standards for Collections 39

Part 2 Protection

Chapter 3 Enclosures 43

Contact Materials (Level I) 43

Selecting Materials 43

Creating a Microenvironment 49

Types of Enclosures 54

Proximity Materials (Level II) 58

Selecting Materials 58

Creating a Microenvironment in Storage Furniture 60

Storage Facilities (Level III) 64

Designing an Archive Facility 64

Environmental Engineering 68

Fire Prevention 73

Chapter 4 Environment 83

Relative Humidity and Temperature 83

Relative Humidity 84

Temperature 95

Air Pollution 98

Pollutants 98

Recommendations 103

Achieving Good Air Quality 104

Measuring Pollutants 108

Chapter 5 Monitoring Collections 113

Setting Conservation Priorities 114

Risk Analysis and Emergency Planning 116

Monitoring and Maintenance 117

Conservation Treatment 123

Lending and Shipping 126

Disaster Response 128

Water Damage 128

Molds 132

Insects 142

Part 3 Exhibition

Chapter 6 Light 149

Qualifying Light 149

Color Temperature 149

Color Rendering Index (CRI) 151

Quantifying Light 151

Luminous Intensity 151

Luminous Flux 152

Illuminance 152

Luminance 153

Light Exposure 153

Quantity of Ultraviolet Radiation 153

Luminous Efficacy and Quantity of Infrared Radiation 154

Artificial Light 154

Incandescent Lamps 154

Discharge Bulbs 155

Fiber Optic Lighting 157

Flash Units 158

Photocopiers and Scanners 158

Chapter 7 Mounting and Exhibition 159

Lighting Recommendations 159

Deleterious Effects of Light 159

Spectral Composition 161

Illuminance versus Exposure Time 162

Projecting Slides 163

Exhibition Spaces 164

Visual Comfort 164

Environment 164

Monitoring Devices 165

Measuring Color Temperature 165

Measuring Illuminance 165

Measuring the Ratio of Ultraviolet Radiation 165

Measuring Infrared Radiation 166

Measuring Light Exposure: Dosimeters 166

Filtering Light 167

Filters for Ultraviolet Radiation 167

Filters for Infrared Radiation 170

Mounting for Exhibition 170

Mounting in a Window Mat 170

Overall Mounting 172

Framing 172

Part 4 Dissemination and Access

Chapter 8 Analog Reformatting 179

Duplicating Photographs 180

Format 180

Resolving Power 181

Reproduction Techniques 181

Restitution Techniques 183

Micrography 185

Formats 185

Processes 186

Life Expectancy of Microforms 187

Chapter 9 Digitization 189

Preserving Access to Information 190

Transfer 191

Emulation 193

Authenticity 193

Digital Image Acquisition 195

Storage on Magnetic Tape 197

Structure of Magnetic Tape 197

Signal Degradation 198

Deterioration of the Binder and the Base 198

Preservation of Magnetic Media 199

Storage on Optical Disks 200

Structure of Optical Digital Disks 201

Physical Deterioration of CDs 206

Chemical Deterioration of CDs 206

Preserving CDs 207

Micrography versus Digitization 209

Part 5 Technical and Practical Information

Chapter 10 Processing Photographs for Permanence 215

Black-and-White Photographs 215

Developers 216

Stop Baths 216

Fixing 217

Testing for Residual Silver Salts 219

Washing 220

Checking the Washing 221

Toning 225

Checking the Efficiency of Toning 228

Hardening 228

Reducing 229

Drying 229

Retouching 229

Marking 230

Varnishes 231

Color Photographs (Chromogenic Processes) 231

Computer Output Printing 232

Ink-Jet Printing 233

Electrostatic Printing 234

Thermal Wax Transfer Printing 235

Dye Sublimation and Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer Printing 236

I. Formulary 239

II. Water Treatment 245.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [261]-276) and index.

ISBN:

0892367016

OCLC:

51764287