CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES
The Centre for Photographic Conservation specialises in the preservation, conservation and restoration of 19th and 20th century photographic images, utilising techniques developed by The Centre based upon over 30 years experience in this highly complex and specialised field. Treatment of collections or individual objects undertaken.
CONSULTATION AND ADVISORY SERVICES
The Center's consultation and advisory services cover all aspects of photographic restoration, conservation, preservation and collection management.
CONSERVATION SURVEYS, REPORTS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND AIR QUALITY TESTING
The consultancy and advisory services offered by The Centre for Photographic Conservation endeavour to help both Public and Private Sector collections to establish or tailor preservation policies, identify conservation priorities and establish preservation and conservation programmes for the extended-term benefit of photographic collections as a whole.
The Centre is also able to undertake Identification and Quantitative Surveys in Support of Institutional Grant Applications or Lottery Funding Bids.
The Centre also offers an air quality testing service. A growing awareness of the sensitivity of photographic materials to airborne material and gaseous pollutants has led to a greater need for effective clean air, air quality controls. As with any working/habitable environment the quality of the air is also of fundamental importance to current Health and Safety Legislation. Permissible levels of pollutant gases are in most cases more stringent for Health and Safety than those set by Photographic Conservation Standards and experience has shown that photographic material collections can evolve levels of pollutant gases that exceed Health and Safety Levels yet can still fall below Photographic Conservation Standards. This is a growing area of concern for the Heritage Sector in response to which The Centre can undertake an Air Quality Survey testing for pollutant gases.
DISASTER RETRIEVAL and REHABILITATION SERVICES
The Centre for Photographic Conservation offers a disaster recovery service for the retrieval and treatment of fire and water damaged photographic materials, including freezer storage capacity.
The Centre is also able to advise on the writing, preparation and establishment of disaster contingency plans and can co-ordinate and supervise recovery procedures for photographic and mixed media collections.
Impartial expert opinion will always enhance and confirm sound preservation practices and can often pin point gaps in knowledge or bring a fresh perspective. Independent advice can also introduce new materials or techniques and high-light outdated practices.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Centre for Photographic Conservation offers a programme of both short and long training courses "On site" for curatorial and conservation personnel in many aspects of photographic preservation, conservation and disaster pre-planning and recovery procedures.
The Centre has been offering career and professional development courses and in-house teaching and lecture series to the Heritage Sector for over 25 years.
The Centre offers On-site training not only to curatorial and conservation professionals but also to lay personnel and volunteers involved with the day-to-day handling administration and maintenance of collections. As public interest, appreciation and utilization of photographic images increases it behoves collection managers to take every opportunity to train and equip their staff.
"Training is always a good investment". Not only does it bring new information, expertise and skills to the work place but it also brings a fresh impetuous, promotes self worth and can encourage a new perspective to work engendering a more positive and enthusiastic attitude.
On-site training courses and lecture series are tailored to the individual client institution needs, developing in-house expertise with a greater economy of scale.
RESEARCH
The Centre for Photographic Conservation maintains an ongoing programme of original research into historic photographic technologies and the development of photographic conservation techniques and systems. The research undertaken byThe Centre has helped to develop sound conservation practices and techniques within ethical guidelines which have had a direct influence on the Photographic Conservation Profession.
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