The binder layer or emulsion holds the final image material to the support and is most commonly gelatin but may also be albumen, collodion, or another material.

The final part of a photograph is the image producing material often silver particles, color dyes, or pigment particles suspended in the emulsion layer.

Photographs and negatives are generally cared for by paper conservators or those who have specialized in photographs and negatives alone. The following list of handouts and websites will guide you in the proper methods for preserving your items.

If you have any questions, ask a conservator.

• Recommended Environmental Conditions
• Dusting and Vacuuming
• Conservation Suppliers List
• Documenting Your Heirlooms
• Environmental Monitoring Equipment
• Glossary of Terms
• Handling Guidelines
• Integrated Pest Management
• Light
• Housings
• How do Conservators Choose and Adhesive
• Materials Guidelines
• Why Not Try to Fix It Yourself?
• Caring for Nitrate and Acetate Negatives
• Caring for Photographs
• Cleaning Organic Materials
• Cleaning Paper-based Objects
• Family Papers and Photos FAQs
• Photomechanical Reproduction
• Time Capsules and Preservation
• Matting and Framing
• Environment: Light
• Environment: RH and Temp
• Environment: Pollutants
• Environment: Mold
• Pigments vs. Dyes
• Photographs
• Negatives and Film
• Housing Photographs for Archives
• Housing Negatives, Film, Books, Newspapers, Scrapbooks, and Sound Recording Media
• Plastics In Museum Collections
• Plastics Chemistry
• Plastics Properties & Technology
• Plastics History
• Plastics Deterioration
• Plastics Preventive Care
• Matting
• How to Care for your Photos
• Canadian Conservation Institute Preserving My Heritage “How to Care for Photographic Materials”
• American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works “Caring for Your Photographic Materials
• Library of Congress “Caring for Your Photographic Collections”
• Northeast Document Conservation Center
• reCollections: Caring for Collections Across Australia “Photographs”
• Library of Congress Preservation Directorate
• National Archives and Records Administration
• National Film Preservation Foundation
• Photographic Media Group
• Society for American Archivists
• American Museum of Photography “Preserving and Protecting Photographs”
• Paul Messier-Conservation of Photographs and Works on Paper
• National Parks Service Conserve O Gram