Be sure to wear gloves if you suspect the photos were in contaminated water.
Rinse the photos in fresh water to remove dirt.
If photos are stuck together, soak them in fresh, room-temperature water, gently agitating them until they begin to seperate and then peel them apart very slowly. Use as much water as necessary, a clean bathtub is great for large numbers of photos.
Kodak Photo Flo (available from photochemical retailers) or a small amount of biodegradable liquid soap may be added to the water to help seperate them. This will also soften the emulsion (image side) of the photo so you will have to handle them with care.
When they come apart use a squeegee to get most of the water off (a windshield wiper blade will work if you have nothing else). If you have a blotter book (also availble from photo retailers), put them in the book with weight on top of it and let them dry so that they will dry flat. If not, just let them air dry. Air drying will have some curling, but at least the images will be saved.
Thanks to Helen Yancy, Fujifilm, and H & H Color Lab for their advice on OurPPA.com.
I HAVE MANY FILE CABINETS FILLED WITH ALL OF MY NEGATIVES OF ALL OF MY WORK SINCE THE 70'S. MY OFFICE AND STUDIO ARE IN NEW ORLEANS. LUCKILY, THE OFFICE DID NOT FLOOD. I AM TRYING TO MAKE PLANS TO GO GET THESE FILE CABINETS AND MY CAMERA EQUIPMENT OUT OF NEW ORLEANS BUT I CAN'T GET IN JUST NOW. MY MAIN CONCERN IS IF EVERYTHING IS SLEEVED AND FILED, WILL THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY RUIN MY B&W AND COLOR NEGS? I AM WORRIED SICK BUT I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED...THANKS, BASI
Posted by: BASI MCASHAN | September 27, 2005 at 04:53 PM