Storage and Care of Kodak Photographic Materials
2 Storage and Care of KODAK Photographic Materials • CIS-2017-1
Store opened packages carefully. After you have
opened the original sealed packaging, the material is no
longer protected from the damaging effects of high relative
humidity and atmospheric contaminants such as chemical
fumes.
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For this reason, it is important to use the material
promptly.
Protect film from x-rays. X-rays can fog unprocessed
film when the level of radiation is high or when the film
receives several low-level doses, because the effects of
x-ray exposure are cumulative. Once film has been
processed, however, it is not affected by x-rays.
When you travel by commercial airline, your checked
luggage is usually subjected to x-ray examination. You can
avoid this danger to unprocessed film by hand-carrying
your supply, including loaded cameras, and requesting a
visual inspection.
The walk-through and hand-held electronic devices
used to check passengers are not x-ray devices and do not
affect film.
Sometimes mailed packages are also x-rayed; if you
include unprocessed film in a package, label the package
“Undeveloped Photographic Film. Please Do Not X-Ray.”
Film mailed in clearly marked processing mailers sold by
photofinishers is usually not subjected to x-ray inspection.
Protect the latent image. Once you have exposed your
film, paper, or display material, it is important to minimize
changes in the latent (unprocessed) image. For consistent
results, process the film, paper, or display material
promptly after exposure.
This is particularly important with professional color
films, because they are optimized for processing soon after
exposure. Storage at a low temperature after exposure will
retard latent-image changes. You can keep exposed,
unprocessed film in a refrigerator for a few days when
necessary. Put the film in a sealed container, and allow the
unopened container to reach room temperature before
removing the film for processing. If you have professional
films processed at a distant processing laboratory, ship
them by priority mail or air express promptly after
exposure. Do not deposit film in a metal mailbox where it
may be subjected to high temperatures.
For best results, process paper or display material on the
same day you expose it. You should not notice shifts in the
latent image with keeping times from 1
minute to 24 hours.
Therefore, you do not need to change your printing
procedures to compensate for latent-image shifts under
normal temperature and handling conditions. For
consistent results, keep the time between exposure and
processing the same for each type of paper or display
material.
1.Chemical fumes that can harm photographic products may come from
industrial emissions, motor exhausts, paints, solvents, cleaners, mothballs,
chipboard, glues, mildew and fungus preventives, foam-injected insulation,
fabric treatments such as permanent press and stain inhibitors, and
insecticides. These may contain formaldehyde or aldehyde derivatives,
sulfides, or other agents that can harm either unprocessed or processed
photographic materials.
PROCESSING
The quality of processing is a very important factor in
image stability. Improper processing can result in
deterioration of the image.
Follow proper procedures. Commercial processing
laboratories are aware of the important influence that
processing has on the photographic quality and long-term
keeping properties of prints, negatives, slides, and
transparencies. If you do your own processing, remember
that failing to follow the manufacturer's processing
recommendations can impair image stability. Incorrect
processing procedures such as faulty agitation, insufficient
or excessive fixing, and inadequate or excessive washing,
can result in defects after long-term storage that were not
apparent shortly after processing. Other guidelines include
avoiding contamination of solutions, using proper
replenishment, minimizing oxidation of developers,
cleaning the tanks regularly to avoid bacterial growth, and
using a stop bath when recommended.
STORAGE AND HANDLING OF PROCESSED
PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS
Negatives
Of all photographic sensitized products, processed
negatives are usually given the least attention when it
comes to storage. You don’t normally display or look at
them; often you print them and forget about them. Even
when stored in the dark, however, color negative images do
change. Negatives that you intend to reprint require the
same care and attention as other photographic images.
Keep negatives clean. Avoid a buildup of fingerprints,
dirt, and dust; these contaminants often contain chemicals
or fungus spores that can harm the image. If you suspect
that your negatives are dirty, clean them carefully before
you store them.
If you use envelopes or plastic sleeves to protect the
negatives, be sure that the material has no potential for
harming them. The glossy surface of some plastic sleeves
may cause ferrotyping (glazing) of a negative, which leads
to density variations in a print made from it. Paper
envelopes that meet the standards for photographic
materials are better for long-term storage of negatives.
Control the temperature and humidity. Negatives
intended for long-term storage require special care, but
you can store negatives for short-term use under normal
room conditions. In climates where the relative humidity
regularly approaches 60
percent, use a dehumidifier or
other means of reducing the humidity in the storage area.
Keep the temperature low for long-term storage. High
temperature and high relative humidity can affect
processed negatives. A temperature between 2°C (35°F)
and 13°C (55°F) and a relative humidity between 30 and
35
percent are excellent conditions for long-term storage
of negatives.