Over at The Online Photographer Blog there was a whole bunch of heat and light on the question of archival materials for photographs. I didn’t want to invest too much time on a very lengthy discussion because my thoughts on archival materials are well, archival. I have always felt that if you purchase and use the best materials and follow the directions for proper photographic processing, the photographs will last longer than you do. If the photograph lasts longer than you do, it’s archival.
I have never worried too much about archival processing. I have always thought the Image is the thing. The emphasis should be on creating an image that is worthy of archival treatment. Exceptional effort should be expended on the creation of an image so good people now and in the future will be moved by your image. A timeless image that speaks to the human condition will be worthy of archival treatment. Rather than worry about the paper we should obsess about the real issue at hand; making your image worthy of the finest archival materials. If we put that much effort into creating better images rather than debating the fine points of archival preservation, I think we would have a lot more images that are worthy of archival materials and processes.
Tomorrow there will be a new issue of the Lipka Journal over at my website. Three new projects, some single image projects and a republished blog entry from the past. Come back tomorrow and see what's new.
Comments