Remember that light is a photo destroyer. If you put photos in a regular frame with a regular piece of glass the image will be substantially different after 10 years. In 20 years, the image will be gone.
If you want to display an important photo, make sure you have another copy stored safely.
Make sure framed photos have mats. The glass of the frame should never touch the surface of the photo itself because it can adhere, or encourage mold and mildew to grow.
Use acid-free paper for mounting and photo albums.
Handle negatives by the edges and keep your hands clean.
Repeated security X-ray scans can cause your undeveloped film to get foggy so have pictures developed before you get on the plane or mail the film back to yourself — or ask that it be hand-inspected at airport security.
Damaged or faded photos can now be restored with digital technology on your own computer with Digital ROC and Digital SHO software. With a little practice, most anyone can use these programs.
Kodak's Austin Development Center
8920 Business Park Drive
Austin, TX 78759
Digital ROC, $50 — this plug-in restores the color to faded photographs.
Digital SHO, $50 — this plug-in reveals the details in the shadows of images.
512-651-6200
www.asf.com
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