Participants will be introduced to the identification, degradation, and preservation of common photographic print materials, including the salted paper, albumen, silver gelatin, and chromogenic color processes. Ethical and other factors to consider in the preventative care of at-risk print materials will be outlined. We will address early direct positive processes – the daguerreotype, ambrotype and tintype – briefly. We’ll also discuss details pertaining to the manufacture, identification and preservation of gelatin dry plate and film-base negatives, along with basic considerations in the care of photographic albums. We’ll review preservation challenges related to large and diverse photographic collections with attention paid to the importance of proper environments and storage materials, emergency planning, and risk analysis. The value and significance of photography, global initiatives, and the pressing need to secure external funding and support through effective preservation advocacy will be emphasized throughout the webinar. Participants will receive a small selection of historic prints, to be returned at the conclusion of the webinar, for in-depth study. A listing of key publications and online resources will be provided. While each session will start with a webinar presentation, but we will include time for discussions with questions welcomed during or following each session using Zoom meeting.

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The statements and opinions expressed by panelists, hosts, attendees, or other participants of this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of, nor are endorsed by, the American Alliance of Museums.