Assessing Conservation Risks In Photographic Media: A Study Of Gelatin Silver And Inkjet Prints

This thesis examines the conservation challenges of gelatin silver and inkjet photographic prints, two materially distinct yet culturally significant media. While gelatin silver prints—widely used throughout the 20th century—are susceptible to deterioration such as silver mirroring, emulsion cracking, and yellowing, inkjet prints introduce newer concerns due to their variability in inks, paper coatings, and overall stability. Drawing on case studies, scientific analyses, and museum conservation practices, this study compares the chemical and physical vulnerabilities of each print type and evaluates strategies for their preservation. It also addresses the ethical and practical implications of replication, digital intervention, and preventive conservation in institutional settings. By situating traditional and contemporary photographic media side by side, this thesis offers a framework for understanding and managing the evolving risks inherent in photographic collections.