Planning for the inevitable

esearing · Apr 1, 2016

As I get older I have come to the realization I can afford many things I don't need, truly value the things I do use often, and feel the need to do the best work I can in the years I have left. So I have made assumptions about my next 15-20 years and what I want to achieve or at least attempt.

During this planning I foresee a continually growing collection of photographic equipment, albums of negatives, prints, darkroom stuff, books about photography, and other related stuff. My family currently has little interest in photography, especially film. So how do I help them "dispose" of my life's work and tools when I am no longer able to practice my hobby?

I have put together a list of camera items and their range of current values with instructions on how to sell it on ebay or use the local used camera shop on consignment. I assume I will not be famous so they can keep the prints they like and trash the rest.

It may seem morbid but nothing motivates like a "dead" line. How many of you have a plan for the future of your photographic assets?

blockend · Apr 1, 2016

The value of equipment varies but is likely to be very little. Even manual cameras require maintenance which subsequent generations are unlikely to care for. Photographs on the other hand do have value, historical, sentimental or possibly financial, but people need to be able to see what the negatives contain, in contact print form at the very least. If we can't be bothered providing labelled contacts, or scanned prints from negatives, it's silly to think others will trawl through our cast offs.

Family shots should have named people, places should be tagged as comprehensively as possible. After that survival is in the lap of the gods, but at least you did your part.

Vilk · Apr 1, 2016

après moi le déluge

naeroscatu · Apr 1, 2016

I asked myself the same question and intend to sell most of my camera collection (hopefully I can do that before they beam me up). I will keep most valuable 2-3 cameras for last (they will keep value so family can sell them easy). As for the negatives and prints: negatives with family value - scan them, save them. Artsy negs that you think are good, leave them to the family they will decide, it's not a big burden. Same is valid for your prints. I would not throw my negs and prints, they mean something to me. Future will tell if they mean the same for family or strangers who will get hold of them after I'm gone.

Bob Carnie · Apr 1, 2016

I plan to continue to work with the equipment I own until I can no longer do so.

I will give it all to a younger deserving person after that time arrives .

I have met a few in the last 10 years that I think are deserving.

GRHazelton · Apr 1, 2016

Some good thoughts in this thread.

At 72 I am reluctantly thinking along the same lines. I of course plan to live forever, but.... No one in my immediate family is a shooter, so my collection of cameras will probably be sold after my death. I'm going to set up an inventory of them with pictures so that my survivors might get the best price. I have an ongoing project to scan all of my negatives and transparencies, using Lightroom to set up a "database."

I also have all the negatives and transparencies from my Father's years of shooting, which I am working on. The problem with my retrospective work is identifying as to subject and date. (BTW, the BW negatives he shot and processed himself in the 1930s are in fine condition, as are the prints. Film can truly be archival.) The moral of the story is start now, while you and others can help with identification.

And of course in addition to cameras there are books, music CDs, and hundreds of vinyl records.....

Any suggestions for a regularly updated data base of sale prices for cameras?

Old-N-Feeble · Apr 1, 2016

I have another suggestion: Keep all the stuff that makes you happy, even if you're not using it. Label everything, describing what it is, it's overall condition, and current market value as of a particular date. Then, let those who inherit it deal with selling it. Regarding negs, prints and slides... don't worry about it.

Tis Himself · Apr 1, 2016

When I reach the point that I will no longer be able to expose and process film and prints, it is my intention to dispose of my equipment either by selling it or giving it away to friends who could and would use it. As far as negatives and prints are concerned, many cities and towns have historical societies. My family will be instructed to keep what they want and donate the remainder to the historical society. They can go through them and keep what the believe to be of interest and dispose of the rest. It's not that I believe that I have any photos of particular historical significance, but I have seen many old prints of areas which were vacant land (considered landscapes at the time) that are now developed (no pun intended) with homes and commercial improvements. Many such photos were "snapshots" taken by amateurs. The local historical society offers such reprints of many photos for sale, and it is fairly common for them to be found decorating commercial office buildings. Of course, my intentions are predicated on the hope that I don't drop dead unexpectedly!

Sirius Glass · Apr 1, 2016

Not my problem. That is what executors are for.

esearing · Apr 1, 2016

My sentiment of helping dispose of my "junk" comes from 9 months of cleaning out my parents house after they passed away within 5 months of each other. They were borderline hoarders and the things they thought were so valuable had no real value beyond garage sales with out a great deal of effort. The things I kept were the items they created or used to create, items passed from prior generations, and family photos.

I hadn't thought about historical societies. I do a lot of images in local/national parks too, so I may suggest donating some to them. Got to get better at labeling my negatives and locations.

Theo Sulphate · Apr 1, 2016

I've thought it might be useful to make a video - not a dry inventory video, but almost like a self-interview where you describe the cameras and the photos, how and where you used them, why you like them, what you like about certain photos. This is more meaningful than written notes (but there should be notes as well).

Wouldn't it have been great if our ancestors could have provided us with a small insight such as this into their lives?

nolanr66 · Apr 4, 2016

The family will probably donate the camera's and stuff to the Hospital thrift shop or toss it. The digital files will go "Poof" and my photo albums will wind up in my daughters closet for as long as that lasts. My assets are in a Trust and that's about it really.

frank · Apr 4, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
I've thought it might be useful to make a video - not a dry inventory video, but almost like a self-interview where you describe the cameras and the photos, how and where you used them, why you like them, what you like about certain photos. This is more meaningful than written notes (but there should be notes as well).

Wouldn't it have been great if our ancestors could have provided us with a small insight such as this into their lives?

Excellent idea. Not only is information passed along, but surviving family can see and hear you talking about your life's passion.

R.Gould · Apr 4, 2016

When I pop off, hopefully I still have a while to go, my Prints and Negatives will go the local Heritage Trust, I know them very well as I have done a lot of b/w photography for them over the last few years, and have spoken to them about this and they are keen to have them, also, all of my cameras are ''classic'' folders Etc, all are over 50 years old and they are also interested in that collection also, My family are in full agreement with this course of action,

Sirius Glass · Apr 4, 2016

Heck, if I cannot take the camera equipment with me, I am not going!

Wallendo · Apr 4, 2016

With family photographs and the like, one thing I like to do is to share them now. Sometimes these photos will bring up recollections of details I had forgotten. I also frequently give photo books as Christmas gifts. (I use a non-APUG discussable technic at present, but hope to have a darkroom up and running before Christmas.)

BradleyK · Apr 6, 2016

I won the title of "family archivist" after the passing of my father 10 years ago, and immediately set upon the task of organizing his life's work. It took well over a year, working on and off, to create a semblance of order. In the last year or so, I have begun the same effort with my own archive. In my case, I am fortunate in coming from a very close knit brood (it's the way our parents raised us); my eldest nephew has already been designated the "heir archivist apparent." I expect one of his brood will take over the task, when the time comes.

Equipment-wise, I sold or traded off my father's Canon equipment (F1/FtbQL/an assortment of FD SSC lenses fro m 24mm to-300mm), building my Hasselblad kit as a result. His Kodak projector, huge collection of trays, his light table and screen were kept and will be passed on (time to begin hoarding bulbs, I believe). As far as my kits are concerned, I have three nephews and a niece that I have introduced to film photography (all were given F2 and F3 Nikons as well as an assortment of Nikkor lenses, and each was given a Leitz Tiltall); they can divvy up the Nikons as they see fit. I would, however, love to be a fly on the wall when the "negotiations" start for the Leicas and the Hasselblads...

flatulent1 · Apr 6, 2016

I'm in the process of clearing out the family homestead after my last parent died. It amazes me how little of their stuff I have kept for myself, how little my siblings claimed, and how much I hauled to Goodwill. I'm almost 60, no kids. The generation after me are in their 30s and also look to remain childless. I've collected some odd things: mechanical pencils, tobacco pipes, fancy pens, photo gear, and so forth. Also a small collection of images I've had printed and framed. I'm guessing there isn't going to be much, if any, interest in my stuff, and I can't say I care very deeply.

The only exception is the great pile of photos and negatives that came out of my father's parents' home in Wilton Junction IA. That's going to be a long term scanning project starting in a few months, to be posted online for my east-coast cousins to download as they wish. That's it.

Snafoo · Apr 16, 2016

I'm 61, and not in the best of health. As others have mentioned, I've become the de facto family photo historian and have scanned thousands of photos dating back to the 1920s. No kids, but a couple of nieces and nephews. I have to be realistic in assuming that there may not be anyone down the road who is willing to take up the archiving torch, so my plan is to make photo books and give them away as gifts. I figure books may have a longer life than negatives or slides and will stand a better chance of being passed to future generations.

blockend · Apr 16, 2016

Snafoo said:
I figure books may have a longer life than negatives or slides and will stand a better chance of being passed to future generations.

I agree. A book distributed around a family stands a better chance of surviving a few generations than any other currently available.

Sirius Glass · Apr 16, 2016

Snafoo said:
I'm 61, and not in the best of health. As others have mentioned, I've become the de facto family photo historian and have scanned thousands of photos dating back to the 1920s. No kids, but a couple of nieces and nephews. I have to be realistic in assuming that there may not be anyone down the road who is willing to take up the archiving torch, so my plan is to make photo books and give them away as gifts. I figure books may have a longer life than negatives or slides and will stand a better chance of being passed to future generations.

Welcome to APUG

Snafoo · Apr 16, 2016

Sirius Glass said:
Welcome to APUG

Thank you. It's good to be here.

Planning for the inevitable

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