Photographs and digital images
Many groups will have photographs of camps, events, and members. These can provide a fascinating visual history of the group. Photographs are very sensitive and need to be stored and handled correctly; here are some easy top tips.
· Store photographs in a dry dark place; avoid using any kind of adhesive to stick photographs into albums. Acid free boxes are available but in the home good quality plastic storage boxes are a good alternative.
· Don’t place in standard stationary plastic wallets, these can degrade overtime and cause damage to the photographs.
· Try to avoid excessive handling of photographs as the natural oils in your skin can leave finger-marks on the image.
· Support photographs with both hands.
· Avoid using pens to mark the back of photographs, if necessary lightly use an HB pencil.
· Remember that whilst you might know the details of the photograph those looking at it in the future may not. Allocate each photograph a reference number and then keep a record of the subject, date, location and event.