Handling photographic materials

An open volume showing photographs stuck on both sides of the page. The photos are of metalware, including cups and bowls.

Photographs mounted in a large volume.

Photographic materials include prints, blueprints, x-rays, negatives and microfilm. Photographs are composite objects made up of a support layer coated with light-sensitive emulsion. The most common support layer is paper, but it can also be made of metal (daguerreotypes; tintypes), glass (ambrotypes; glass plate negatives), textile, or plastic (film; negatives; microfiche).  Photographic materials may be mounted, loose or housed in conservation-grade polyester sleeves (encapsulated).

Areas of vulnerability:

  • Oils and salts in our skin can react with the image layer, resulting in discolouration.
  • The image layer is vulnerable to abrasion.
  • Photographic materials are extremely sensitive to light and over-exposure can lead to fading to the image. Blue-toned (i.e. cyanotypes and blueprints) and colour prints are most at risk to fading from prolonged light exposure.
  • Extremes of temperature and relative humidity can accelerate chemical and mechanical damage. They can cause discolouration (such as mirroring or yellowing) and delamination of the image layer. Each photographic process reacts differently to changes in environment due to their differing components and development processes.

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Handling aids:

  • When handling loose photographs, nitrile or vinyl gloves must be worn to protect the surface. Cotton gloves are not appropriate as they reduce dexterity and can transfer fibres and dirt onto the photograph. A member of staff will provide nitrile or vinyl gloves on request.
A person handling loose photographs while wearing green gloves.

When handling loose photographic materials, nitrile or vinyl gloves must be worn.

Handling top tips:

  • Always handle photographic material with clean hands.
  • Loose photographic prints should be handled by their edges only, whilst wearing nitrile or vinyl gloves.
  • Photographs should not be removed from polyester sleeves – if a sleeve is impeding viewing, please see a member of staff for assistance.
  • Ensure photographic materials remains in the same order as it was when removed from its housing.
  • To limit light damage, keep photographic material covered when not in use – for example, after viewing, place them face down.

For more handling tips, watch our guidance video on how to handle photographs.

Also in Handling documents