And Don’t Forget The Negatives!

We are becoming more aware that our precious photographs and digital prints need extra care if they are to survive well into the future. But very often we forget that the original film negatives need extra consideration too – for after all they are our safety net for if the prints are lost or damaged. They are an important link to our family and social histories and need preserving properly too.

Remember that the same rules of preservation will apply to these items. Remove them from the developing envelopes that you receive them in. Then separate them from each other and store in archival sleeves or envelopes. Index the envelopes carefully to avoid having to handle the negatives for identification. Use cotton gloves if the need arises for examination.

Preferably store the negatives in acid free boxes or boxbinders and away from direct heat and light sources. Extremes in temperature and humidity will cause the negatives to become sticky and adhere to each other, another reason to ensure they are stored separately. They prefer cool, dry places!

And finally, as with your photograph storage, whatever you can learn about the type, make and manufacture of your collection, there may be developments in the near future that could improve or affect their chances of survival into the distant future! So, keep abreast of changes and improvements whenever you can.