For the genealogist or family historian, family photos are very valuable. However, over time, pictures can suffer damage. Mold and mildew, excessive temperature variation, dust and dirt, direct sunlight, and water can deteriorate fragile images.
What can be done to fix water-damaged photos?
Restoration
Utilizing a soft cloth (not paper), softly blot the photograph to dry it. (Do not rub!)
Use photo imaging software to enhance the image. Several packages permit you to restore mislaid items (body parts, scenery, etc.) by drawing them in on your computer. For instance, if Uncle Jethro’s left arm is damaged in the photo, you may be able to overlay his right arm, in reverse, where it should be.
Backgrounds can also be cleaned up. For instance, a photo taken outdoors may contain a garden background. If this has a water spot, you may be able to copy shrubbery or flowers and put them in the spoiled area.
A certain aunt of ours detached her ex-husband from an old photograph by replacing him with a tree previous to printing and redisplaying a group photo.
Prevention
Random piles of photos are just asking to be spoiled. Store photos in a secure spot, void of direct sunlight, water and humidity.
Put photos in acid-free page guards, sleeves, or packaging.
Scan your favorite photos and save them on your computer, or use a digitizing service to create a photo CD of your most essential images.
Make an online image library. Fuji Online, Kodak Gallery, Photobucket.com, Shutterfly.com, and additional sources are broadly accessible. Most provide free photo storage, and just charge for prints and additional products you might order.
Exhibit
Through printing and placing essential family photographs in image-friendly frames in your house, you can conserve and share family memoirs with all who come in. In addition, I like to print photos in sepia, so they all appear historic. This offers even our new photos a historical feeling.
Keep in mind: cleaning products, humidity, sunlight, and drips can damage your beloved pictures.