skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

How do you store your old photographs?

15 years ago

I have albums and they have gotten out of hand, everything is falling out and the pictures are discoloring. Have you ever used a photo storage box, how is it compared to albums? Any better ideas or recommendations?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

minnie_tx
15 years ago
I've used both the best thing is to have them on the computer newer ones are
I just glued them in the albums and put them in the boxes .I don't worry about them no one in my family is interested in them anyway
susanjf_gw
15 years ago
i have but now those are in plastic tubs..your old albums probably arn't acid free, and ought to be removed...it can be quite a chore so i'd do one at a time, and store by family member. it sure came in handy for ds2's wedding. the kids had pictures on each of the tables taken at about the same age...really were neat centerpieces...

my tubs are for convience. after reading about the heartbreaking stories of weather related losses i made sure mine would be in one place with easy access...
Related Discussions
How Do You Store Your Bean Seed?
Q
Comments (23)
Thanks, Fusion, for posting that link, I think it is the study that I have been searching for. Bookmarked it again... I wish I knew how to transfer bookmarks from a dead computer, I lost a lot of good references. Drloyd, after shelling, I dry nearly all of my beans on trays exposed to room light. Since I don't transfer seed into storage containers until the indoor humidity is low (below 40%), some of that seed is exposed to artificial light for 2 months or more. As reported above, I have seen no ill effects from this treatment. However, I make sure that direct sunlight from nearby windows never hits the trays. For drying pods that were not fully dry when picked, I place them under a fan. The air circulation is the most important factor for rapid drying; the use of heat runs the risk of reducing seed life. Drying pods closely under a light might be OK as long as some means of air circulation is provided. I store seeds in the dark because my initial research into seed storage said that heat, light, and humidity were the enemies of stored seed. To be honest, that was quite some time ago, and I guess I never questioned the light aspect... because dark storage has worked so well for me, and you don't mess with what works. (Additionally, as mentioned above, packing bags of seed tightly in boxes also helps me to keep air from reentering the bags, and further moderates the temperature of the seed inside.) It may be that light is inimical to stored seed because stored seed is enclosed in a container, which is most often transparent. With no air circulation inside, heat from radiant sources can penetrate & accumulate very rapidly in a transparent container. I've observed this most notably in ziplock bags, which can heat very rapidly when exposed to sunlight. For that reason, when carrying seed into the garden for planting, I use a small ice chest. Light absorption can directly induce heat into the seed; but I still wonder whether the light itself - and perhaps its spectrum - has any direct effect on seed metabolism. There is anecdotal information that it doesn't, of seed stored for years in a jar in a lighted room. Personally, I still prefer to err on the side of caution, and keep my seed in the dark.
...See More
How do you store your craft supplies?
Q
Comments (8)
:) currently? half of it's in boxes and crates int he attic- and the other half's in bins in the basement. setting up a crafting area was the first thing that I WANTED to do- but DH convinced me that clearing a place to sleep, eat, hangout, and brush our teeth would be more cost-efficient, workwise. however- in my last incarnation, I had a workstation made out of a hollow core door on two bookcases (the very first drafting table my dad ever built when he got his license, I might add) and three steamer trunks to hold raw materials. it was cramped, but I managed- and I did truely messy things outside. now- I have plans for a wash sink in the basement, so I can do my tie-dying indoors!
...See More
How do you have your recipes stored?
Q
Comments (21)
Shee, I am much older than you (59) and cannot get my recipes organized either. I have an old metal index box full of hand written or typed recipes people have shared over the years, and drawer full, a drawer full, etc. Many are folded pieces of paper. Since you don't cook a lot or don't like to cook, if I were you I could get once nice box and recipe cards and hand write them. I bought my DD and DIL a Longaberger recipe box and the Longaberger cards. I went ahead and bought the liner for it and an extra pack of recipe cards. If you get the large one, it will hold a lot of recipes. It makes a lovely little accessory for your countertop, or if you don't like "stuff" on your counters, it takes up very little room in the cabinet. I see that it is being retired soon. Better get myself one - I am so bad to buy for others, and not spend money on myself! I use the same old faithful recipes most of the time, so this box should hold all the favorites. I am sure you can also find something similar at a much better price in the home stores. I also have lots of cookbooks. My favorite cookbooks are those sold by local clubs, organizations, churches, schools, etc as fundraisers. Living in a small town, I know most of the people who have recipes published in these books. My favorite is one compiled by the local Woman's Club in the seventies and my favorite recipes are those submitted by wonderful old ladies, most of whom are gone. My butterscotch pie recipe is from a little old lady I knew as a teenager - it calls for butter the size of a walnut. Was probably passed down to her as well. Here is a link that might be useful: Longaberger Recipe Box
...See More
How do you store your spices?
Q
Comments (17)
I have so many spices and herbs and spice mixes in different sizes and shapes - jars, shakers, tins, boxes, baggies - I gave up trying to keep them in a drawer or on the shelf in a loose fashion. Things got lost behind other things and everything looked messy. I bought a bunch of inexpensive shoebox sized clear-ish storage containers. I placed all of my spices and herbs in those and stacked them two high in each shelf above and to the right of my stovetop (the most logical spot for me though I might rethink it) for a total of six containers. They are not organized alphabetically but by frequency of use. The things I use the most often are in the lower two bins on the bottom shelf. The things I use less often (or are extras) are in the shelves above as those require that I get a step stool. (I'm 5 feet tall.) I have small cabinet shelves to hold them so I can take one bin out at a time. I placed one set on the table for better light. Apologies for the crummy cell phone image. I also have other herbs and spices in a pantry shelf in additional containers. Those are things I use the least often or have purchased in bulk. Eileen Here is a link that might be useful: Shoebox sized containers.
...See More
tami_ohio
15 years ago
Right now, I am in the process of scanning old family photos into the computer and identifying them. I hope that my aunt can help with that. Dad doesnt' know most of the old ones, and their brother is gone. I will eventually do the ones I have from the kids, too. Right now, they are in the envelopes they were put in when developed for the most part. Some are in albums. All are stored in a closet, mostly in a box or bag. They need to be gotten out of there, but I can only do so much at one time. I think the oldest are more important to preserve first. After I have them all scanned and saved to disc, I am going to give family memebers copies so if something happens to one set, someone else has back ups.

Tami
mcmann
15 years ago
I haven't done it yet but I think scanning onto a disc is probably the best. Just think how easy it would be to make copies for other members in your family. I used to worry about saving my photographs in case of an emergency, like a house fire. There are too many to carry.

But in the meantime I've taken them out of the albums. Those sticky plastic sheets are harmful to photos and as Susan pointed out they're probably not acid free. I ordered archival photo boxes and labels from 2 sources: Archival Methods and Light Impressions. Both have web sites. I ordered acid free envelopes to put the photos in and wrote the date and subject on the front. Or you can buy polyethylene bags.

Archival Methods has a box (12x15x4) that holds 2,400 4x6 prints and Light Impressions has one box (15x6x5) that holds 900 4x6.
patti43
15 years ago
I've "archived" mine into a big cardboard box in the bottom of the guest room closet. I did take a stab of sorting them once and taking out all the ones that didn't have people in them. Also gave DD all her sweet baby/kid/teen pictures. Like Minnie, nobody'll want them anyway.
jaybird
15 years ago
I have tons of pictures in an antique metal ice cream cone bucket w/lid. I have a bunch more recent ones in a big basket on the LR coffee table. Those two "storage" units are the first thing that the kids drag out...it makes me laugh!

Related Stories

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOUSE 7 Pro Lighting Tips for Budding Home Photographers

By David Duncan Livingston

Learn how to control daylight and artificial light to get high-quality home photos even if you're just starting out

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Dreamy Summer Art Photographs

By Laura Gaskill

Nostalgic yet of the moment, these prints celebrate summer's delights — and they start at only $10

KITCHEN DESIGN Deliciously Simple: Food Photographer Warms Up a Rental Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

See how a San Francisco cook and blogger makes her small kitchen shine

DECORATING GUIDES Vintage Style: General Store Decor

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

New Ideas for Old Glass, Whitewashed Wood, Worn Metal and Vintage Cloth

ART The Best Ways to Care for, Clean and Store Art

By Laura Gaskill

Keep your treasures on canvas and paper in top shape with this expert advice from two gallery directors

ORGANIZING Pre-Storage Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Store

By Laura Gaskill

Wait, stop. Do you really need to keep that item you’re about to put into storage?

Houzz Interview: Jennifer's Old Painted Cottage

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOUSE Could You Be the Next My Houzz Photographer?

Do you love to photograph interesting homes and write about interior design? We want to talk with you

Take a Picture: Decorating with Photographs

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Photographer's Picture-Perfect Home Comes Into Focus

By Mitchell Parker

An ultramodern house in the Hollywood Hills is a study in contrasts: curvy and boxy, forward thinking and retro

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can we start a Chain Reaction Game - Part 4

243

Credit Freeze - Who's Done This

19

Weekend Music Part 2 - Space

8

I'll show you mine/you show me yours - Sa 5/4/24

12

Smile today - 5/4/24

7