Black and white photographs may look so serious, dated and old-fashioned, but you would be surprised to know that they last longer than color pictures.
Black-and-white prints last longer than color because the nature of the materials used in color prints is more susceptible to fading due to surrounding conditions, such as temperature and moisture. Besides, black and white photos, especially those taken during the time of our grandparents, contain some silver which helps make them last while color pictures are made of dyes. It is said that if processed correctly, black and white prints could last 200 or 300 years. Heat, light and humidity – the chief enemies of photos – harm color pictures more as opposed to black and white negatives and prints.
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Sources:
Keepsakes: Preserving Your Gown, Cake, Flowers & Photos.
http://www.theknot.com/ch_article.html?Object=A00621193649
Experts Give Tips for Preserving Photos.
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/univ/photos.html
Meier, Peg. And Now About Your Photos. http://www.ktca.org/bwc/preservation.html