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February 10, 2006
Dear CNET members,
Happy Friday! You all came through in a huge way this week for Liz of Virginia, because we received a whole lot of great answers. And after reading all of your submissions, one would probably agree it's a combination of several things that affects the longevity of digital photos on paper--from environmental factors, all the way to the ink that is used to print them. With all those things to consider, I am just grateful for one thing: that we are now living in a digital age, so if those photos deteriorate over time, I can boot my computer, go to my photo archives (granted that I have a good backup plan) and print away, and those photos will be as fresh and new as when I took them. So let's get this discussion started with a couple of great winning answers by Paul and Dion, who both give some great details on technology side of photo printing. And when you're done reading, please, and I do mean please, read everyone's submissions in Honorable mentions and advice from our members because they are all incredibly helpful. You all deserve a pat on the back for participating. The topic is open for discussion, so if you have more information, experience, or tips on how to preserve your digital photos on paper or have any additional questions, join us in the forums to discuss it. You know what to do. Thanks, everyone!
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Member Question of the Week
This is along the same lines as the question about the longevity of burned CDs. How long do digital pictures that
are printed on paper last? I've always heard that nothing lasts longer than a real photograph printed from a negative
because the process burns the print into the layers of the paper as opposed to just putting layers of color lying on top
of paper as in digital prints. I have stopped using a negative-producing camera because of the ease of use of the
digital camera, but I want to keep my photographs for a long time. Should I revert to the old way of photography for
photograph preservation so that future generations can see the past? What is the best way to keep photographs for
centuries?
Submitted by:
Liz L. of Virginia
Answer by Paul:
How long your prints of digital images are going to last depends on the technology used to print them. That includes both ink and paper. Most people use inkjet printers to produce images, and two primary technologies are used. One is based on organic dyes, and the other is based on pigments. Loosely speaking, the first is like coloring your clothes, and the second is...
Submitted by:
Paul C. of Atlanta, GA
Answer by Dion:
Given the likely future of digital data storage, your best preservation for color photo images is in just that form: stored data. Barring the total breakdown of society and human civilization, there will continue to be institutional data preservation facilities available to everyone. Putting your precious digital photo files "into the system" is likely to be the most surefire, long-term way to preserve them...
Submitted by:
Dion J. of Scotts Valley, CA
For
Paul's and Dion's
efforts, we're sending them their choice of any
Help.com Learning CD.
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When printing inkjet photos at home, I use:
(Please click on button to vote) |
 Top-of-the-line photo paper from
printer's manufacturer (which kind?)
Midlevel photo paper from
printer's manufacturer (which kind?)
Multipurpose photo paper from
printer's manufacturer (which kind?)
Top-of-the-line third-party photo paper
(such as from Kodak, Ilford) (which kind?)
Midlevel third-party photo paper (which kind?)
Multipurpose third-party photo
paper (which kind?)
No brand-specific photo paper
Whatever photo paper I
can afford (which kind?)
Other (which kind?)
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User name: AndyInTN
Location: Lancing, Tennessee
Member since:
November 15, 2005
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About me: About me: I'm looking for a job, anyone wanna give me one? LOL. A little about me, I am a freelance Web designer who is into open-source software...(read more)
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