What is the best way to store old photos (hard copies)

londonman81

I've got a bunch of old B&W and colour photos (some are around 60 years old).

I would like to store them in the safest way possible to prevent any further damage and disintegration.

Can anyone recommend, from their personal experience, the best way of storing old photos?

Thanks!

Jakeandme

pretty good advice here.

http://antiques.about.com/cs/photographs1/ht/StoringPhotos.htm

Avoriaz

Have you considering scanning them and storing them digitally as well as following the above advice?

macman

Under the correct temperature and humidity controlled conditions, which you're unlikely to have. However, they will still deteriorate, so scanning them before that happens is the best solution.

bengalknights

I would digitize them then wrap and keep in tin

MadTechie

in a pickle jar with pickles
Just kidding,

I agree with bengalknights+ others and as a techie i have to say scan them in,
the resolution is the key, too low and your loss quality too high and it takes more storage space ,
72ppi may look okay on screen but won't print very well, 300dpi should be okay unless you wish to enlarge the photo..

also the file format jpeg or tiff ?
jpeg is smaller but discards data, tiff is larger but keep all data!
for space and compatibility jpeg is better but for pure quality tiff wins.

BUT what about the ones you have, see this video

Hope this helps