Handling and Displaying Photographs:

1. Careful Handling:

On delivery, please open the packaging carefully.  Much care has been taken on my part to ensure that the print has been packaged and shipped in pristine condition.  It would be a shame for it to travel such long distances, only for a clumsy buyer to mishandle the photograph causing fingerprints or kinks (small creases in the paper).  Until the image has been safely framed, please follow these simply guidelines:

• Handle the print with clean hands (or clean cotton gloves if possible).

• Avoid touching the surface of the photograph. Even if your hands are absolutely clean, the oil from your fingers can leave prints.

• Hold a large easily bendable print at two corners diagonally opposite from each other, not along the edges at the centre.

• Handle the print as little as possible.  To view or examine it, place it on a flat surface. 

• Do not rest the print on damp or wet surfaces.

• Keep the print away from children, pets and accident prone, unlucky or cursed people.

I advise you to inspect the print on delivery.  Do not remove it from its protective plastic sleeve.  As long as it stays in the sleeve it is safe from the evils of dust, scratching and finger-prints.  When satisfied with its condition and quality, carefully place it back in its protective packaging and bring it directly to a professional framer to have it matted and framed.  The framer should only use acid-free and archival materials when matting and mounting the photograph to ensure maximum image longevity.  Once it is framed, it can be displayed and handled without fear of damage.

For more information about the matting and framing process please read the Matting Photographs page.

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2. Displaying Photographs:

Unfortunately, all light gradually destroys photographic prints.  Although paper and ink innovations have greatly increased the longevity of photographs, over time the quality inevitably deteriorates.  In order to maximize the life of a photograph, there are a few simple things that you can do:

• When framing the print, use only acid-free mat board and backing board, as well as archival tape.

• Display the framed print in a low-humidity environment. 

• Never display any photograph in direct sunlight or fluorescent light. Although all light is damaging to a photograph, these two types of lighting are most damaging.

By following these simple guidelines, my prints will last for decades without any signs of fading.

For more information about the matting and framing process please read the Matting Photographs page.

All photographs are copyright, and unauthorised use is prohibited.  For more details, please read the Copyright Information page.

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