| Since the introduction of the digital camera, | | | | framing, or storing them. |
| consumers have hailed the convenience and | | | | |
| immediacy of their work. Snapping pictures | | | | Don't: Prints created at home are |
| and being able to view them on the camera to | | | | particularly susceptible to damage from the |
| determine if a retake is needed, sharing them | | | | oils in a person's skin as well as the |
| online within moments of recording images, | | | | abrasion created by touching or brushing |
| and producing prints at home without the time | | | | against them, therefore minimizing how much |
| involved in filling an entire roll of film, | | | | these prints are touched can help to reduce |
| transporting them to the photo lab, and | | | | degradation of the image. |
| awaiting their development are among the best | | | | |
| loved features of the digital camera. | | | | Display |
| | | | |
| Beyond the convenience of a such a camera | | | | Light, humidity, contaminants in the air, and |
| however, the question of how well images | | | | exposure to water are other factors that can |
| printed at home would endure the years has | | | | significantly damage prints. Displaying |
| been a significant concern. In the early | | | | unprotected, uncovered prints potentially |
| years, the quality of the various types of | | | | exposes them to all of these factors which |
| printers, inks, and paper were much less | | | | can result in an early demise for the images |
| reliable than the photographic processes used | | | | so lovingly captured by the camera. |
| in a photo lab. Many years have passed | | | | |
| however and progress has been made in | | | | Do: For display purposes it is wise to place |
| developing more durable materials. Although | | | | prints in a frame with an anti-UV glass cover |
| only time will tell, in today's market, some | | | | or to insert them into a clear protector; |
| printer manufacturers tout a life span of 75 | | | | although polyvinyl chloride is not a |
| to 100 years or longer for prints produced by | | | | recommended material. |
| their printers and materials. | | | | |
| | | | Don't: Displaying prints where they will be |
| In addition to the ongoing advancements in | | | | directly in the sunlight promotes premature |
| printer technology and paper/ink quality, | | | | fading and placing them in environments with |
| home photographers can certainly do much to | | | | higher heat and humidity such as in a kitchen |
| assure that their grandchildren will be able | | | | or bath can promote fading, blurring, and |
| to enjoy the images that they record on their | | | | yellowing. |
| digital camera today through proper handling. | | | | |
| | | | Storage |
| Materials | | | | |
| | | | Do: Placing prints in an album offers a |
| Do: Use of a high quality printer designed | | | | convenient method of properly storing them as |
| for printing the photos from a digital camera | | | | well as labeling and displaying them for |
| is recommended of course but quality ink and | | | | future enjoyment. Ideally, the album used |
| paper which complement each other helps to | | | | should be acid and lignin-free, offer non-PVC |
| assure the longevity of the print that is | | | | page protection, and allow the user to attach |
| produced. The best way to assure that the | | | | prints via corners versus an adhesive. |
| printer, paper, and ink used will work well | | | | |
| together is to purchase them from the same | | | | Don't: Because of the negative effects of |
| manufacturer. The paper selected should be | | | | light, heat, humidity, and exposure to |
| coated and designated specifically for | | | | pollution and water, storage in both attics |
| printing photographs. | | | | where temperatures can soar and in basements |
| | | | where humidity and the risk of exposure to |
| Don't: Use of some materials in framing, | | | | water is greater is not recommended. Closets |
| mounting, or matting pictures speeds the | | | | are a better option as it is best to store |
| demise of the print and should be avoided. | | | | prints in a cool, dry, dark area. |
| For optimum longevity, materials should pass | | | | |
| ISO standards for being acid and lignin-free. | | | | The conveniences offered by a digital camera |
| Corrugated cardboard and PVC coverings are | | | | are ideal for those wanting to enjoy and |
| materials to be avoided when working with | | | | share a moment via pictures. For those hoping |
| prints. | | | | to use their camera to provide a more lasting |
| | | | record, recent advancements in printing |
| Handling | | | | technology would seem to offer the potential |
| | | | of sharing memories captured today with |
| Do: When producing prints at home it is | | | | future generations. Home photographers will |
| critical to assure that they dry before | | | | simply need to use an appropriate camera, |
| handling them. They may dry to the touch | | | | printing materials, and assure they follow a |
| almost instantly, but it is advisable to | | | | few rules when handling their prints to |
| allow them several hours before handling, | | | | assure they provide a lasting impression. |