Ref: M2E39004
This course can be taken as a standalone or as the third of a series of three courses about understanding photographic materials.
This practical course focuses on preventive conservation strategies and collection management approaches for photographic materials. Participants will develop skills in environmental management, protective housing construction, and strategic preservation planning whilst gaining hands-on experience creating storage solutions for different photographic formats.
Day one covers environmental control and housing materials, examining appropriate parameters for different photographic processes, evaluation and selection of housing materials, storage furniture considerations, and light exposure management. The afternoon provides extensive hands-on construction of protective enclosures for various formats, demonstration of handling protocols, and overview of simple conservation treatments.
Day two focuses on strategic collection management including surveys and preservation planning, digitisation considerations for preservation, disaster planning specific to photographic collections, and budget planning for preservation projects. The course concludes with examination of emerging conservation challenges, ethical considerations in photographic conservation, and resources for continued professional development. Throughout the weekend, participants will construct their own protective housing solutions which will be displayed and discussed in the final session, providing practical take-away materials alongside theoretical knowledge.
By the end of the course you will have learned:
This course is suitable for:
Intermediate to advanced - ideal for conservation students, collection managers, and heritage professionals. Basic experience with photographic collections. Courses 1 and 2 recommended but not essential. Suitable for those responsible for collection care and preservation planning.
Conservation-grade housing materials for practical construction sessions; tools and equipment for enclosure construction; examples from West Dean's photographic archive; templates for preservation planning and documentation; comprehensive course handbook with supplier information; all workshop materials and construction supplies.
Notebook and pen for condition documentation; calculator for risk assessment exercises; any photographic materials from their collections (optional); comfortable clothing suitable for handling archival materials; close-fitting shoes for workshop sessions.
This course completes the three-weekend sequence on photographic materials conservation. Can be taken independently but builds on knowledge from Courses 1 and 2. Participants will create actual housing solutions to take home.
Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included)
Daily timetable
Course teaching 9.00am - 5pm (lunch included)
Dinner: from 6.30pm (included for residential students)
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed
Departure day
Course teaching: 9.00am – 5.00pm (lunch included)
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Simon Fleury is a freelance conservator based in London. He specialises in the conservation, preservation, and exhibition of photographic objects and works on paper. Simon worked for over 25 years at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, where he was responsible for the care and preservation of the museum's world-class photographic holdings.
Stephanie Jamieson is a conservator specialising in the conservation of photographic materials and artworks on paper. Stephanie is on the committee of the Icon Photographic Materials Group and has worked as a conservator at the Glamorgan Archives in Cardiff and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
