Point, shoot, then ...
That trip to Paris. A memorable meal. Her first swim lesson. The reunion of far-flung family members that may never happen again. Thanks to the ease and ubiquity of digital and smartphone cameras, we are capturing precious memories and others more ordinary at an increasing rate.
The question becomes how best to preserve, organize and enjoy these pictures -- along with those taken before the dawn of the Digital Age (not so long ago, really). Here are a few ideas.
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Here are tips for long-term preservation
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Are some albums and containers better than others for protecting photographs? Should you be transferring old photos into new albums? The National Archives website ( www.archives.gov) offers detailed advice, including these tips.
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Materials to choose. Look for paper enclosures of high-quality, non-acidic, lignin-free paper made from cotton or highly purified wood pulps. Plastic sleeves should be uncoated pure polyethylene, polypropylene or polyester. Plastic and paper materials used for housing and storing valuable photographs should pass the photographic activity test, or PAT (it will be indicated). Use paper or plastic photo corners to secure photos onto album pages.
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Materials to avoid. Stay away from PVC plastics, which have a strong odor. Also avoid self-stick albums and tape, household white or yellow glues, and rubber cement.
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Grandma’s photo album. Removing photos from old albums with black, gray or colored paper can harm photos and may not be necessary; the damage may already be done. Instead, slip high-quality paper or plastic sheets between the pages to isolate them from one another.
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Smart storage. Keep photos and negatives in the coolest, driest spot in the house. A basement may be too damp. And if you digitize your photos, keep the originals.
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Anne Colby
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A crafty frame of thought
Framing and arranging photographs shouldn’t be overwhelming, says Los Angeles interior designer Erinn Valencich.
To prove her point, Valencich often frames photos herself using inexpensive frames from Aaron Brothers and arts and craft stores such as Michaels. “Especially if they are images you have printed yourself,” she says. “People have so many great images these days using the different filters that are at hand.”
Valencich likes to create vignettes with photos by leaning them on a desk or nightstand or mantel with a vase. Or she suggests layering them over an antique mirror to create luminous drama. Other tips: Use the same frame for each of a dozen photographs in a hallway. Or frame photos in an unexpected hue such as red to add a bold punch of color.
When it comes to family photos, Valencich insists that her clients print their photos in sepia or black-and-white for a more uniform look. “It’s hard to put a beach photo next to a Christmas photo next to a baby picture,” she says. This way, the arrangement looks more cohesive and pleasing to the eye.
Valencich’s no-nonsense approach to tackling photographs includes printing photos at your neighborhood drugstore. “Just bring your [flash] drive, print your photos, do your shopping and leave with your photographs in hand.”
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