<1. For a given process, what would be the best or recommended lighting for
print display to maximize the visual characteristics and density range of that
process (albumin, platinum, gum, cyanotype, etc)?>
Paul, there is no simple answer to your question,as those things aren't that
simple. What do you mean by "lighting for print display"? Long term? Short term?
Does preservation play a role during that lighting?
<2. What would be recommended or suggested approaches for testing a given
process for archival longevity? An accelerated aging approach, per say (other
than waiting 100 yrs). (for example, direct sun + heat for so many days = likely
survival
equivalents?)
Any simple suggestions or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.
Paul A. Lehman>
If testing for archival longevity would be easy, people like Jim Reilly at IPI,
Rochester, Henry Wilhelm and others would have less work and trouble. To get
some information about the weather resistance of your own prints, you could do
the same as Terry did with his gum - place a print into the garden for a year.
(Terry, I really liked this.) But when waiting for some changes to appear, use
the time to read some books on photo conservation and you will get a first idea
;-). Get the AIC Photographic Materials Group Newsletter to be informed about
the latest research. Get Klaus Hendriks' "Fundamentals of Photograph
Conservation" and Henry Wilhelm's "The Permanence and Care of Color
Photographs:..." Get the ANSI IT 9.90 and see what kind of test is required for
color film/paper. No such ANSI Standard for bw-papers or films available until
now. Imagine why? Because there is NO "simple" approach if you want to get
reliable data...
Klaus Pollmeier