In 1975, an engineer at Eastman Kodak used a camera with image sensor chips that weighed 8 pounds and took 23 seconds to capture the scene. While a digital camera was used at the 1984 Summer Olympics and during the first Gulf War, the first commercially successful digital cameras didn’t debut until 1990. The technology has come a long way since then. Now we have cameras small enough to carry in a pocket.

Digital photography has become most popular recently. However, according to photographic conservator, Paul Messier, www.paulmessier.com, digital photography has all the traditional issues of preservation – chemical, biological and physical, but electronic files add a new problem—obsolescence. This has 2 components, file format and hardware obsolescence.

Discussion of these issues as well as solutions are covered in Preserving Your Family Photographs. You can get your copy HERE to access the information.

Tags: cameras, digital albums, digital photos, history
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Here’s a colorized glimpse at Frank Leslie’s newspaper from 1886!

Summer’s Crazy Ride from Maureen Taylor

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Did you know that many of the men and women who lived during the American Revolution lived into the age of photography? Take a look at this video to learn more.

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ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

For the first time The National Archives and Records Administration has accumulated these historical “Documented Rights ” resources from around the country for you to see in one place…

Many of the holdings of the National Archives can be found in regions across the US, including court records, naturalization records, ships’ passenger arrival records, and federal land records.

You can visit the exhibit in person from September 2010-February 2011 at The National Archives at Kansas City, 400 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108. Or you can enter the online exhibit HERE. Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy it.

Tags: american history, historical documents, national museum of american history, preservation
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There are times in our lives when we hire a professional photographer to document important events like weddings or formal family portraits. But how can you tell if they are following procedures to ensure the longevity of your images? You can start by asking a few simple questions.

These Questions may Include:

• What type of photo paper do they use and how long does it last?
• Do they water process or chemically process their prints?
• How long do they store their negatives?
• Do they use lacquer to coat the photograph or to create texture?
• Is the photo studio going to frame the prints?
• AND MORE…

Hiring a professional photographer can be a stressful experience. You never want to worry about someone ruining the most important milestones of your life. Preserving Your Family Photographs can help guide you to hiring the right photographer. The book details the questions above as well as investigating some frequently asked questions that only a professional can answer.

Tags: family photographs, hiring a photographer, photographer, photographs, special events
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