When I look at some old childhood photographs taken in the 1970s I think wow we really had that cool 1970s Instagram look.
Unfortunately, this is nothing to do with those retro vintage filters added with your favorite photo editing software to make them look 'Instagram cool'. Our color photos from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s are literally fading away in front of our eyes.
Older black and white photos have better stood the test of time, thanks to a process that involved a 'wet' dark room, photographs made with stable silver compounds and using fiber-based paper and topped with a protective chemical gelatin layer. These won't fade so easily.
Fast forward to the color photos of the 1970s and we see a different process using color dyes and silver compounds set in emulsion. When processed and activated by light, the silver disappears and only the color dyes remain. Developed to satisfy a demand for color images these early color processes were not stable and faded quickly often reacting badly to sunlight and other environmental factors. Which is why early 70s photos fade so badly. Fortunately modern dyes used in the processing of photographs are different and are much more stable. However, your old color photos are still fading away! What can you do?
My little sister and I in the late 70s - aren't we adorable!
This is another reason to scan your photographs to a digital format. I bet you knew I was going to say that right! Well, just look at the above example and tell me I'm wrong.
A basic color correction is included in the cost of all scanned photographs!
When scanning the photographs to a digital format, a simple process of color correction and adjusting the levels to remove the faded washed out appearance is done. This will restore the images back to a more natural look that will make the subject stand out and look more realistic. Not only are they preserved indefinitely digitally but you can have some fun by sharing them and embarrassing your little sister!