Storing "film scans" primarily refers to managing and preserving digital files. However, the question, when considered alongside the provided information, highlights the critical importance of properly storing the original physical film from which those scans were created. While digital storage ensures access to the scanned images, preserving the original film negates is essential for future use, potential higher-resolution scans, and archival purposes.
The reference provided specifically details the best practices for storing the physical film itself. Let's look at how to store the original film based on this information.
Storing Your Original Physical Film
Proper storage of physical film negatives or transparencies is crucial for their long-term preservation. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and light can cause deterioration over time. Following specific guidelines helps maintain the quality of your film.
Key Storage Precautions for Physical Film
Based on the provided guidance, the fundamental precautions for storing physical film are:
- Keep it Cool: High temperatures accelerate the degradation of film emulsions.
- Keep it Dark: Exposure to light, especially UV light, can cause fading and color shifts.
- Keep it Dry: High humidity promotes mold growth and the breakdown of the film base.
Recommended Storage Methods
To achieve the necessary cool, dark, and dry conditions, consider the following method:
- Sealed Plastic Box with Desiccant: Store your film in a sealed plastic box. Include a layer of a desiccant, such as silica gel, within the box. Desiccants help absorb moisture, maintaining a dry environment inside the sealed container.
Ideal Storage Locations
For optimal long-term storage and security, consider these locations:
- Bank Safety Deposit Box: Rent a safety deposit box at a bank. Good banks often have climate-controlled vaults, providing a stable temperature and humidity environment that is ideal for film preservation.
Summary of Physical Film Storage
Here’s a quick overview of the physical film storage principles:
- Conditions: Cool, Dark, Dry
- Container: Sealed plastic box
- Moisture Control: Include desiccant (e.g., silica gel)
- Location: Safety deposit box at a bank (ideally climate-controlled)
It's important to note that this advice pertains to the physical medium (film), not the digital scan files. Digital film scans should be stored on reliable digital storage media, such as hard drives, cloud storage services, or optical media, often with multiple backups in different locations to prevent data loss.
