How to Preserve Photographic Film
By Kirk Schuchardt • March 17, 2022
No, you are not being a curmudgeonly old man who refuses to adapt to the 21st century. Film does have some ineffable quality that digital photography hasn’t matched yet. - perhaps it never will. If you’re someone who cares about this nostalgic art form, we should remind ourselves of the three ways to preserve photographic film. That way, you can get the best quality out of it! There are three things you should remember about storing film:
- Keep it cool.
- Keep it dark.
- Keep it dry.
Do these three things, and your film can last years (and even decades!) beyond its expiration date.
1. Keep it cool.
By keeping color film in a refrigerator (at 50℉ or lower), you can lengthen the lifespan of your film. (Black and white film can be stored at room temperature.) Give your color film three hours to warm up after taking it out of the refrigerator to use. That way the film does not become warped - this can happen if it gets handled immediately after being taken out of the fridge.
If you have a whole bunch of film you don’t plan on using for more than six months, store your film in a freezer at a temperature lower than 0℉. Film in freezers requires even more time – five hours – to warm up and then be safe to use. But once those hours have passed, the film should be shot and developed immediately. Otherwise, it will degrade rapidly.
2. Keep it dark.
Example of light leak on photograph.
As we all know, film is light sensitive. But even when left in its canister, film can become exposed to bright light that seeps in past the felt on a film canister. This can give the photos uneven splashes of light. We’re guessing you’re not a fan of this. Keep your film rolls in a film case or a bag to avoid light leaks and you will be one happy clam.
3. Keep it dry.
Keep the film unopened in their original canisters to protect them against humidity. Humidity is another enemy of film. Leave the film in there until you are about to use it. If a film is wet, ink from the back of the paper can rub off onto the film and leave an imprint of a number. Nobody likes a random number on their forehead!
Yes, it might be easier to use a filter on any social media platform, but as much as they have improved over the last few years, they’re not an exact replacement. Film can offer a high contrast in colors, grainy sunrises, and subtle details that get lost if shot with a digital camera. While the memories you save of your grandchildren might take a while to produce, they will last a lifetime if cared for (and digitized!) correctly.