Photography Conservation

The survey of historical and modern photographs, negatives, slides, and glass photographic plates are the main duties of the department. Through the knowledge of material identification and condition assessment, it is possible to carry out appropriate conservation and treatments on the objects. In addition, the continual maintenance and care of the collection is an important aspect of the daily work. In this way, countless collection items are cleaned and rehoused according to established standards (DIN) to protect the objects from further deterioration and detrimental environmental influences. 

A further important responsibility is, with the help of an infrared spectrometer, the identification of the diverse collection of negatives that have synthetic substrates. This is a non-destructive test method to distinguish between cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate. This analysis is vital to identify these two substrates, as they have different packing and storage requirements. This way correct storage can prevent adverse effects to objects stored in the vicinity.

In the field of photographic conservation, various types of repair methods are employed. One treatment is the so-called ‘sandwich technique’, to secure broken glass plates, which enables further inspection. In addition to this, stabilisation of tears in photographs, removal of deposits and soiling from the surface of prints as well as securing photographs in albums so that the albums are again accessible are carried out. Historical photographs like daguerreotypes and ferrotypes are carefully cleaned and stored in specially prepared packaging.

In addition to the conservation and restoration of the collection, the conservators are responsible for the care of the photographs in exhibitions and loans. For exhibitions individual display mounts are crafted for the objects to provide necessary support. Condition reports must be carried out for photographs on loan and by the mounting and dismantling of exhibitions.