Photographs

What are the most common types of damage?

Probably the most obvious damage you will see is physical damage. This includes problems such as:

• tears;

• creases. These almost always cause tiny splits or fractures in the emulsion;

• dog-eared corners. These also cause tiny splits or fractures in the emulsion layer;

• insect attack. The materials used to make photographic emulsions are a good food source for some insects. Insects, mice and rats will also eat the paper base of photographs;

• abrasion and scratching. Photographic emulsions are made from materials such as gelatine and albumen—egg white. These materials form very smooth films, which are very easily scratched when rubbing against other photographs and rough paper surfaces such as album pages;

• indentations in the photograph where labels have been written or typed directly onto the back of the photograph. If excessive pressure has been applied, the emulsion can be fractured; and

• emulsion peeling away from the paper base.

This photograph is severely damaged with a large tear and losses. Photograph courtesy of Monique Godelle

A photograph showing damage caused by creasing. Photograph courtesy of Fred Francisco

Dog-eared corner, leaving heavy creases and tears in the photograph. Photograph courtesy of Fred Francisco

Silverfish attack to emulsion and cardboard mount. Photograph courtesy of Artlab Australia, reproduced with permission of Mortlock Library, the State Library of South Australia

Indentations caused by writing on the back of the photograph. Photograph courtesy of Fred Francisco

The emulsion is badly cracked and is beginning to peel away from the paper base. Photograph courtesy of Artlab Australia, reproduced with permission of the History Trust of South Australia

The other most obvious damage is the result of chemical deterioration:

• fading of the photographic image, accompanied by loss of detail;

• yellowing of the image. In many historic black and white photographic processes, the image becomes warmer in tone and changes from blacks, whites and greys to browns and yellows;

• colour change and fading of colour prints, negatives and slides. Colour prints are most susceptible to this type of damage;

• silver mirroring—silvering out—in shadow areas. This is such a common symptom that nearly all 19th century gelatine developing-out prints are affected;

• staining. Stains can develop on photographs. Some come from within the photographs and others from the materials that are in contact with the photographs, such as album pages and sticky tape; and

• photographs which have broken or fractured emulsion are more susceptible to chemical deterioration.

The whole image has yellowed and become warmer in tone. The small spots are fly specks. Photograph courtesy of Fred Francisco

Some areas of this photograph are beginning to fade, with detail being lost. Photograph courtesy of Fred Francisco

The colours in these photographic prints have altered over time and are no longer very realistic. Photograph courtesy of Vicki Humphrey

Silver mirroring—silvering out—can be seen around the edges of the photograph. Photograph courtesy of Artlab Australia, reproduced with permission of Ann V. Nicholas