Free Tips

We would like to share with you a few free tips on how to preserve your precious memories.

Here is a common concern:

"My photos are fading away! I wanted to show to my grandchildren the photos when I was pregnant with their parents, but now is too late; the photos have almost completely faded away".

Here is part of the problem:

Chemicals on the photos keep reacting over time. Some color images show marked deterioration in only 10 years turning blue or yellow in most cases. The color dyes used in photo prints, slides and negatives will irreversibly decay overtime.

Changes in temperature and humidity produce one kind of fading. Changes in lighting conditions are responsible for other kind of fading.

The oil in our hands and dust in the environment are also responsible for deterioration that will become more evident overtime.

What can we do to protect our valuable photos?

The decaying process is progressive and irreversible but it can be slowed down by careful storage and handling of the photos.

Color photos will last longer if stored in the dark, in a cool dry location. The worst place to store old photographs is in the basement (too damp) or attic (too hot).

Do not stack them on top of each other, photos are easily scratched and should be stored in archival plastic or paper sleeves.

Most inexpensive photo albums could damage the photos. Particularly, avoid albums with sticky adhesive pages.

Be careful when removing fragile photo prints, slides and negatives from boxes, sleeves and photo albums. Avoid touching of surface areas and do not force the photos off from the photo album or from each other.

Another more permanent solution would be to professionally transfer them to CD or DVD.

If professionally scanned, photos can then be digitally enhanced with specialized software to help restore the faded dyes to a point somewhere near to original appearance, depending on the extent of the damage. Some minor scratches could also be repaired by qualified technicians. This solution has many benefits; not only the photos will last a lifetime on a CD or DVD but you can also copy and share them with family and friends all around the world.