Old, new popularity

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 30

Old, new popularity

After-treatment of photographs, old and new, is of growing popularity. Modern black-and-white images may have their lives extended almost indefinitely by selenium toning, in which the selenium replaces the original silver. This also increases the richness of the blacks without affecting the highlights. Old prints, if there is no apparent deterioration, can be rewashed and put through a selenium bath. With colour prints, a succession of new papers

of ever-greater stability is being developed by various manufacturers to prolong image lives. Old colour prints may be put through a stabiliser bath, though there may be a drying problem. Up to a few years ago such a bath was routine, let go because of improvements in the stability of the print as originally produced. The life of all prints is enhanced by storage where atmospheric contact is minimal, as in an album or behind glass; an

album' also keeps out light. Rephotographing can often produce an improved version of old prints which have deteriorated. If the negative is still available it usually gives a better start than a print Kodak publications which can help include “Copying and Duplicating in Black and White and Colour,” "Preservation of Photographs” (code F3O), and “Conservation of Photographs” (code F4O).