What is the most archival process for photographic preservation.

waynecrider · Jun 28, 2005

I am currently printing Ziatypes. I've read that they can have a pretty long life, something on the order of a Platinum print, (?) but considering the paper, I was wondering what the life could be? Everything seems to deteriorate eventually. If you were to create a picture to have the longest life possible, what would it be? Prerhaps a painting? They seem to stick around for quite a long time. But concerning photography, what is your archival process.

George Papantoniou · Jun 28, 2005

For what I know, pt/pd on a good quality paper is top. What do you mean, "considering the paper" ? I guess that the papers used for those prints are strong and stable and will not deteriorate in the next 1000 years... unless you store them in a very, very strange place...

Jorge · Jun 28, 2005

As you say it all depends on the paper and how well it was processed. Some pt/pd are yellowing out because they were cleared with Hydrochloric acid and were not properly washed, this was back in the early days of pt/pd. With modern day methods, a pt/pd print will last as long as the paper is intact, the image will not fade or break down. Ziatypes should last just as long, pd is a noble metal and if processed well, it should have the same longevity as a pt/pd print.

Another process that has long life it carbon printing (no, I dont mean ink jet prints), but care most be taken that non contaminated gelatin is used.

Joe Lipka · Jun 28, 2005

How about a cave drawing? Thousands of years and still going strong.

Photographically, I think Pt/Pd on good rag paper is probably the most archival.

The real question is whether or not the image is worthy of such a long life...

Gerald Koch · Jun 28, 2005

I would say the Daguerrotype since you are dealing with metals and no organic support.

waynecrider · Jun 28, 2005

Cave drawings might be the best. I did see a travel show last week or so that showed cave drawings in France I believe, that were really old. In that case, how much ARE caves nowdays?

What processes are you guys using? Hypo clearing and selenium?

waynecrider · Jun 28, 2005

BTW

This is an interesting page concerning negative preservation.

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byauth/messier/negrmcc.html

Robert Hall · Jun 28, 2005

Daguerreotypes, no, they are silver on copper. Both are fugitive metals. They may have a little less longevity than that of a silver print.

The Platinotype is bonded to the paper. We have papers over 1500 years. I would say the pt/pd processes are your best bet.

Gerald Koch · Jun 28, 2005

Robert Hall said:
Daguerreotypes, no, they are silver on copper. Both are fugitive metals. They may have a little less longevity than that of a silver print.

The Platinotype is bonded to the paper. We have papers over 1500 years. I would say the pt/pd processes are your best bet.

The only thing that is going to effect a Daguerreotype is hydrogen sulfide, as it would any silver image even one on paper. But with paper you must also deal with mold, mildew, book worm, silverfish, ...

waynecrider · Jun 28, 2005

Robert Hall said:
Daguerreotypes, no, they are silver on copper. Both are fugitive metals. They may have a little less longevity than that of a silver print.

The Platinotype is bonded to the paper. We have papers over 1500 years. I would say the pt/pd processes are your best bet.

How are those 1500 year old papers being stored?

Tom Hoskinson · Jun 28, 2005

Tens of thousands of years for paintings done with hematite or carbon pigments on dry walls of caves.

glbeas · Jun 28, 2005

I've seen and heard of photos done on tile and fired with a glaze. That comes about as close to permanent as I can think of. When I figure out how to do it I'll write up something on it, one of my slow moving projects.

Mateo · Jun 28, 2005

I can't believe you guys skipped the obvious: mosaics made of naturally occurring stones. And I hear that Epson is coming out with a spray that will protect them even further.

Seriously, your Ziatypes will last a long time.

What is the most archival process for photographic preservation.

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