Photographic Processes Research

Advancing the conservation of photographs through new tools to identify their chemical makeup

Project Details

A person wearing a lab coat and gloves examines an old photograph under a microscope

About

Goal

As digital photography replaces chemical photography, knowledge of traditional photographic processes is at risk of decline—and with it, understanding of how to conserve photographic collections. This project is developing and sharing new tools to identify the processes used to create photographs, which is essential in making decisions about storage, exhibition, and conservation treatment.