services
Imaging
Photographic Duplication
(NEDCC) offers a wide range of photographic copying services and can copy large collections of photographic materials cost effectively, while maintaining the highest standards of quality control.
NEDCC's photographic duplication service employs a state-of-the-art laboratory for copying photographs and early photographic negatives including nitrate and cellulose diacetate films as well as glass plate negatives. Historic negatives are reformatted onto modern polyester safety film. Negatives can also be made from unique prints for which the original negative has been lost. Faded photographs can be copied to enhance the image.
Photograph Duplication services are offered in cooperation with NEDCC’s renowned paper and book conservation labs, which include specialized expertise in photograph conservation. Photographic originals can receive conservation treatment while surrogate images are produced in the Center’s Reprographics department.
The photography staff is trained to handle unique and fragile material such as daguerrotypes, ambrotypes and albumen prints. If conservation treatment is required the items can be referred to a photograph conservator (see Photograph Conservation).
Historical Negatives
Photographic duplication is usually the best means of preserving images contained in historical negatives. NEDCC offers a wide range of options for duplicating negatives. For most collections, NEDCC recommends using the interpositive method to achieve the most faithful reproduction of tones and details from the original negative. Duplicate negatives may then be produced as needed.
Interpositive Process
In this process, the original negative is contact-printed onto (IP) film to produce an interpositive (a positive image on film). The interpositive is then contact-printed onto film to produce the duplicate negative (DN). This process provides the most accurate tone reproductions possible. Problems in original negatives can often be corrected by using selected films and filters to reduce staining during the production of the interpositive. The interpositive becomes the master and the duplicate negative becomes the use copy.
The guidelines followed by NEDCC in creating IP's and DN's can be found at the National Archives and Records Administration website.
Photographic Copying
NEDCC copies photographs, documents and other two dimensional artwork on our camera copy stand. We also can photograph oversized delicate objects in the studio. Black and white negatives, color negatives, or color transparencies can be taken and then printed to specifications. The 4" x 5" size is recommended for high resolution.
In addition to expert photographic duplication services, NEDCC can:
- Help institutions evaluate relative costs and copy methods
- Produce estimates to support funding proposals
- Advise clients on best practices for storage and exhibition
- Coordinate conservation treatment for fragile and/or deteriorated originals
Making Prints
NEDCC also offers archival black and white prints on fiber base and resin coated papers. Prints are available in standard sizes up to 20" x 24". Panoramic negatives can be printed up to five feet in length.
Please contact David Joyall, Technical Photographer, (978) 470-1010 ext. 237, .
Internet Resources
European Commission on Preservation and Access (ECPA)
Technical requirements for the duplication of black and white negatives written by Steve Puglia, National Archives and Records Administration
Getting the Picture: Observations from the Library of Congress on Providing Online Access to Pictorial Images
Research related to the permanence of inkjet prints
National Library of Australia, Australian Network for Information on Cellulose Acetate