Over 150 historical photographic processes were employed to create photographic images in the pre-digital era. A microscopic and chemical analysis of a photograph is often useful in order to correctly identify its chemical structure and state of conservation, as well as the specific photographic process used in its creation. It is necessary to possess all of this information before any conservation treatments can be conducted.
At SMPhoto Conservation we can provide you with a detailed assessment of the physical and chemical structure of your photographs, thanks to the use of advanced scientific methods such as optical microscopy, ultraviolet, infrared and visible light microphotography, spectrophotometry, ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectrometry, and the SEM and TEM electron microscope procedures in combination with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX).
In order to carry out of these analyzes we closely collaborate with the laboratories belonging to the Ca’Foscari University of Venice of the Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems.
