Images Processing and Various Formats
The National Archives' Still Picture Branch, located at the National Archives at College Park, is a treasure trove of photographic history. This division houses an extensive collection of photographs and graphic works, ranging from the 19th century to recent born-digital photographs.
The branch's holdings are diverse, encompassing various print formats such as stereographs, cartes-de-visite, and cabinet cards. Additionally, it houses a substantial number of early photographic processes from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including daguerreotypes, tintypes, ambrotypes, wet-collodion glass plates, gelatin dry plates, albumen prints, gelatin silver printing out prints, collodion silver printing out prints, matte collodion prints, platinum/palladium prints, and cyanotypes.
Gelatin silver developing out prints and gelatin silver film negatives are the most prominent processes in the holdings. The branch also holds graphic materials, which may include posters, and color chromogenic prints, negatives, and transparencies.
Preservation of these valuable pieces is paramount, and the Still Picture Branch provides comprehensive preservation guidance for photographic prints and film-based negatives and positives.
Preserving Photographic Prints
Photographic prints should be stored in stable, controlled environments with low light exposure to prevent fading and deterioration. Handling should minimize physical damage like scratches or fingerprints.
Preserving Film-Based Negatives and Positives
Film-Based negatives and positives require temperature and relative humidity controls to prevent warping, shrinkage, and chemical deterioration. Dark storage is essential to avoid light exposure that can degrade film emulsion.
The use of archival-quality storage enclosures, such as acid-free folders and boxes, is recommended to prevent chemical damage from poor-quality materials. Regular inspection and condition assessment allow early detection of deterioration signs for timely conservation action.
While specific National Archives detailed manuals or policies are not included in the search results, these guidelines reflect standard archival preservation best practices followed by institutions like the National Archives' Still Picture Branch.
Accessing the Still Picture Branch's Holdings
For information about the photographs and graphic works held in the Still Picture Branch at College Park, contact the specified mail, telephone, fax, or email addresses. The branch's address can be found on its website, and research room appointments can be made via the specified email address.
The Still Picture Branch at College Park also has a Copyright and Permissions page for using images from its holdings. For detailed preservation guidance for photographic prints and film-based negatives and positives, refer to the Holdings Maintenance Guide for Collections and Holdings in Archives.
For more information about the processes and formats in the Still Picture Branch's holdings, including glass holdings, film/slides, and born-digital photographs, the article provides descriptions and links to online content.
In conclusion, the National Archives' Still Picture Branch is a vital resource for preserving and understanding our photographic history. By adhering to standard archival preservation best practices, we can ensure these valuable pieces continue to tell the stories of our past for generations to come.
Technology plays a crucial role in preserving and accessing the data-and-cloud-computing aspects of the Still Picture Branch's holdings, particularly in the form of born-digital photographs.
Adhering to standard archival preservation best practices also involves employing technology, such as online content and digital guides, to facilitate research and understanding of the diverse photographic processes and formats housed in the Still Picture Branch.
