History of the Photographic Materials Group
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| Page Information | |
| Date initiated | February 2014 |
| Contributors | Luisa Casella, Alejandra Mendoza, Stephanie Watkins |
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Photographic Materials Group
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The Photographic Materials Group of the American Institute for Conservation was officially formed with a signed article of incorporation in August 1979, making it the first Specialty Group within AIC. Initially, its members met annually at the general AIC meetings and at an annual winter meeting specific to the group. By 1989, biennial winter meetings replaced the yearly ones. The PMG Specialty Group has between 250 to 400 AIC members a year. Members can find the Latest Discussion Posts and membership totals at the Online Community Forum.
The PMG goals are:
- A. To encourage and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about photograph conservation and to promote the development of sound conservation practices.
- B. To promote the publication of scholarly articles on photograph conservation and related topics.
- C. To develop closer ties with other related disciplines, and to disseminate responsible information on the care of photographs
Publications[edit | edit source]
The PMG encourages the publication of books, periodical resources, articles and other useful tools like sample sets. The PMG Publications Committee coordinates these efforts. PMG publications are divided into Books, Topics in Photographic Preservation (biannual periodical), PMG wiki, Photographic Print Sample Sets, and other publications (brochures, articles, forms).
Books[edit | edit source]
- Coatings on Photographs: Materials, Techniques, and Conservation, edited by Constance McCabe, 2005.
- Platinum and Palladium Photographs: Technical History, Connoisseurship, and Preservation, edited by Constance McCabe, 2017.
Topics in Photographic Preservation[edit | edit source]
The Photographic Materials Group publishes Topics in Photographic Preservation biennially since 1988. It is a compilation of papers presented at PMG sessions during the annual meetings of the AIC and during PMG biennial winter meetings, but can also contain other submissions related to photographic materials. Published research and treatment is authored by scientists, conservators, and historians in the field. Although contributors are trained professionals, none of the papers in Topics are peer reviewed.
PMG Wiki[edit | edit source]
The PMG Wiki is an interactive and collaborative resource for conservators and conservation students to learn and share about topics in photograph conservation. It is a dynamic endeavor that aims to foster communication and connectivity through an active exchange of information on developing research and the current trends and needs of the field. For information on the Development of the PMG Wiki and the Photographic Materials Conservation Catalogs visit History of the PMG Wiki.
Photographic Print Sample Sets[edit | edit source]
Photographic Print Sample Sets are useful as research tools or for educational purposes. Four different sets of prints have been produced.
- Set 1 Historic (created 2007, reprinted 2009)
- These prints provide the opportunity to examine the general features and compare detailed characteristics of different processes. Each sample set includes five prints printed with the same 5 x 7 inch negative. Processes included are:
- 1. Cyanotype
- 2. Albumen Print
- 3. Salted Paper Print
- 4. Glossy Gelatin- Silver Printed-out Print
- 5. Matte Gelatin- Silver Developed-out Print
- Set 2 Digital (created 2006)
- The Digital Sample Set consists of 25 digital and traditional print samples all made from digital files. The sample set binder includes the following processes:
- Digital exposure to Chromogenic paper (under magnification: no "soft grid' apparent)
- Digital exposure to Chromogenic paper (under magnification: "soft grid' apparent)
- Digital exposure to silver dye bleach paper
- Digital exposure to silver gelatin fiber based paper
- Digital exposure to Chromogenic transparency film
- Digital exposure to silver gelatin film
- Fuji Pictrography
- Direct thermal (D1T1)
- Direct thermal transfer (D1T2)
- Dye diffusion thermal transfer (D2T2), also known as Dye Sublimation
- Electrophotography (black and white dry toner)
- Electrophotography (color dry toner)
- Electrophotography (liquid toner)
- Inkjet (liquid, dye based, continuous) on fine art paper
- Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on fine art paper
- Inkjet (monochrome liquid, DOD [drop on demand]) on fine art paper
- Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on uncoated paper
- Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated paper
- Inkjet (liquid, pigment-based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated RC paper
- Inkjet (liquid, dye based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated RC paper
- Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated paper
- Offset printing with AM screening
- Offset printing with FM screening
- Pigment transfer process from digitally produced separation negatives
- Thermal Autochrome
- The Digital Sample Set consists of 25 digital and traditional print samples all made from digital files. The sample set binder includes the following processes:
- Set 3 Gelatin (created 2014)
- This sample set consists of 8 sets of Silver Gelatin Developed-out Prints on vintage photographic papers. Each set includes 4 samples of the same paper type with these variations:
- Sample 1: printed and processed
- Sample 2: printed, processed and toned with selenium (Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner)
- Sample 3: printed, processed and toned with a sulfur toner (Kodak Sepia Toner)
- Sample 4: fixed only (white)
- Set 4 Analog (created 2018)
- The set includes samples of 17 analog photographic processes: color prints, black and white prints, and the most popular negative and transparency films.
Other publications[edit | edit source]
- The Photographic Information Record represents the effort by many colleagues to create an “international standard” for an artist’s questionnaire form. Available in thirteen languages.
- Conservation of Photographs: Thirty Years of Science. The lectures gathered in this book were written for the International Conference “Photo Conservation 2011-Thirty Years of Photograph Conservation Science” held in Logroño, Spain on June 20-23, 2011, by the Casa de la Imagen with the scientific direction by Ángel M. Fuentes. This is a Conservación Acceso Archivos Patrimoniales and PMG join publication. Table of contents
- Caring for Photographs Brochure, from Caring for Your Treasures series, published by the AIC.
Yearly Timeline[edit | edit source]
History presented here is gathered from PMG executive council files, personal files and memories of the following individuals: Gary Albright, Luisa Casella, Alisha Chipman, Thomas M. Edmondson, Constance McCabe, Stephanie Watkins.
| Year | Chair | Program Chair (Assistant Program Chair) | Secretary-Treasurer | PMG Winter Meeting
(# and location) |
Topics Vol. | AIC Annual Meeting | Number of PMG Members (totals recorded in May each year for Business Meeting) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Kansas City, MO (1st) | ||||||
| 1974 | Cooperstown, NY (2nd) | ||||||
| 1975 | Mexico City, Mexico (3rd) | ||||||
| 1976 | Dearborn, MI (4th) | ||||||
| 1977 | Boston, MA (5th) | ||||||
| 1978 | Fort Worth, TX (6th) | ||||||
| 1979 PMG forms, Aug 20th at University of Delaware | Toronto, CA (7th) | 8 founding members | |||||
| 1980 (8/79-5/80) | Jose Orraca | - | Gary Albright | - | - | San Francisco, CA (8th) | |
| 1981 (6/80-5/81) | Jose Orraca | - | Gary Albright | #1, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX | - | Philadelphia, PA (9th) | 13 |
| 1982 (6/81-5/82) | Siegfried Rempel | - | Debbie Hess Norris | #2, George Eastman House, Rochester, NY | - | Milwaukee, WI (10th) | |
| 1983 (6/82-5/83) | Siegfried Rempel | - | Debbie Hess Norris | #3, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Theme: “The Preparation of Materials for Display" | - | Baltimore, MD (11th) | |
| 1984 (6/83-5/84) | Debbie Hess Norris (1st Term) | Gary Albright | Holly Maxson | #4, Photographic Archives, University of Louisville. Louisville, KY. Theme: "Gelatin Photographic Materials" | - | Los Angeles, CA (12th) | 115 |
| 1985 (6/84-5/85) | Debbie Hess Norris | Gary Albright | Holly Maxson | #5, Philadelphia, PA. | - | Washington, DC (13th) | 167 |
| 1986 (6/85-5/86) | Debbie Hess Norris (2nd Term) | Douglas Severson | Debora Mayer | #6, Mills House Hotel & Hibernia Hall Charleston, SC | Topics 1 | Chicago, IL (14th) | 168 |
| 1987 (6/86-5/87) | Debbie Hess Norris | Douglas Severson | Debora Mayer | #7, New Orleans, LA | - | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (15th) | 201 |
| 1988 (6/87-5/88) | Douglas Severson | Nora Kennedy | Constance McCabe | - | Topics 2 | New Orleans, LA (16th) | 241 |
| 1989 (6/88-5/89) 10 year anniversary | Douglas Severson | Nora Kennedy | Constance McCabe | #8, Kansas City, MO | Topics 3 | Cincinnati, OH (17th) | 191 |
| 1990 (6/89-5/90) | Constance McCabe | Robin Siegel | - | - | Richmond, VA (18th) | 218 | |
| 1991 (6/90-5/91) | Constance McCabe | Robin Siegel | #9, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada | Topics 4 | Albuquerque, NM (19th) | 245 | |
| 1992 (6/91-5/92) | Greg Hill | Gary Albright | Robin Siegel | - | - | Buffalo, NY (20th) | 271 |
| 1993 (6/92-5/93) | Greg Hill | Gary Albright | Robin Siegel | #10, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX (Wilhelm Color Photography Session) | Topics 5 | Denver, CO (21st) | 321 |
| 1994 (6/93-5/94) | Sarah Wagner | Barbara Brown | Barbara Lemmen | - | - | Nasvhille, TN (22nd) | 300 |
| 1995 (6/94-5/95) | Sarah Wagner | Barbara Brown | Barbara Lemmen | #11, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC | Topics 6 | St. Paul, MN (23rd) | 311 |
| 1996 (6/95-5/96) | Carol Turchan | Barbara Lemmen | Nancy Reinhold | - | - | Norfolk, VA (24th) | 365 |
| 1997 (6/96-5/97) | Carol Turchan | Barbara Lemmen | Nancy Reinhold | #12, SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA | Topics 7 | San Diego, CA (25th) | |
| 1998 (6/97-5/98) | Gary Albright | Andrew Robb | Monique Fischer | - | - | Arlington, VA/ Washington, DC (26th) | 410 |
| 1999 (6/98-5/99) 20 year anniversary | Andrew Robb | Thomas M. Edmondson | Monique Fischer | #13, Harrison D. Horblit Collection of Early Photography Symposium & Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA | Topics 8 | Dallas, TX (27th) | |
| 2000 (6/99-5/00) | Andrew Robb | Thomas M. Edmondson | Monique Fischer | - | - | Philadelpia, PA (28th) | 400 |
| 2001 (6/00-5/01) | Andrew Robb | Thomas M. Edmondson | Monique Fischer | #14, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX | Topics 9 | Dallas, TX (29th) | |
| 2002 (6/01-5/02) | Thomas M. Edmondson (1st Term) | Lee Ann Daffner | Theresa Andrews | - | - | Miami, FL (30th) | 351 |
| 2003 (6/02-5/03) | Thomas M. Edmondson | Lee Ann Daffner | Theresa Andrews (secretary); Stephanie Watkins (acting treasurer) | #15, Ballaja Headquarters, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Topics 10 | Arlington, VA/ Washington, DC (31st) | 359 |
| 2004 (6/03-5/04) | Thomas M. Edmondson (2nd Term) | Paul Messier | Dana Hemmenway | - | - | Portland, OR (32nd) | 314 |
| 2005 (6/04-5/05) | Thomas M. Edmondson | Paul Messier | Dana Hemmenway | #16, City of Vancouver Archives, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Topics 11 | Minneapolis, MN (33rd) | 348 |
| 2006 (6/05-5/06) | Marc Harnly | Laura Downey-Staneff | Dana Hemmenway | - | - | Providence, RI (34th) | 372 |
| 2007 (6/06-5/07) | Marc Harnly | Laura Downey-Staneff | Dana Hemmenway | #17, George Eastman House, Rochester, NY (joint meeting with ICOM-CC Photographic Materials Group) | Topics 12 | Richmond, VA (35th) | |
| 2008 (6/07-5/08) | Adrienne Lundgren | Lyzanne Gann | Erin Murphy | - | - | Denver, CO (36th) | 365 |
| 2009 (6/08-5/09) 30 year anniversary | Adrienne Lundgren | Lyzanne Gann | Erin Murphy | #18, Contemporary Museum of Photography, Tuscon, AZ | Topics 13 | Los Angeles, CA (37th) | 367 |
| 2010 (6/09-5/10) | Barbara Brown (1st Term) | Monique Fischer | Rachel Wetzel | - | - | Milwaukee, WI (38th) | 408 |
| 2011 (6/10-5/11) | Barbara Brown | Monique Fischer | Rachel Wetzel | #19, Ottawa, National Archives and Library of Canada | Topics 14 | Philadelphia, PA (39th) | 391 |
| 2012 (6/11-5/12) | Barbara Brown (2nd Term) | Monique Fischer | Rachel Wetzel | - | - | Albuquerque, NM (40th) | 470 |
| 2013 (6/12-5/13) | Barbara Brown | Monique Fischer | Rachel Wetzel | #20, National Library of New Zealand, Wellington, NZ (joint meeting with ICOM-CC Photographic Materials Working Group) | Topics 15 | Indianapolis, IN (41st) | 388 |
| 2014 (6/13-5/14) | Sylvie Pénichon | Sarah Freeman | Alisha Chipman | - | - | San Francisco, CA (42nd) | 436 |
| 2015 (6/14-5/15) | Sylvie Pénichon | Sarah Freeman | Alisha Chipman | #21, Harvard, Cambridge, MA | Topics 16 | Miami, FL (43rd) | 362 |
| 2016 (6/15-5/16) | Sylvie Pénichon | Tram Vo | Alisha Chipman (one year, move to stagger officers) | - | - | Montreal, Canada (44th) | 359 |
| 2017 (6/16-5/17) | Sylvie Pénichon | Tram Vo | Saori Kawasumi Lewis | #22, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO | Topics 17 | Chicago, IL (45th) | 313 |
| 2018 (6/17-5/18) | Barbara Lemmen | Tatiana Cole | Saori Kawasumi Lewis | - | - | Houston, TX (46th) | 309 |
| 2019 (6/18-5/19) 40 year anniversary | Barbara Lemmen | Tatiana Cole | Heather Brown | #23, New York Public Library, NYC, NY (joint meeting with ICOM-CC Photographic Materials Working Group) | Topics 18 | Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT (47th) | 332 |
| 2020 (6/19-6/20) | Maria Fernanda Valverde | Katie Sanderson | Heather Brown | - | - | Virtual Meeting (48th) (pandemic) | 342 |
| 2021 (7/20-5/21) | Maria Fernanda Valverde | Katie Sanderson (Amanda Maloney) | Ronel Namde | #24, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX: Meeting postponed to annual AIC meeting (pandemic) | Topics 19 | Virtual Meeting (49th) | 354 |
| 2022 (6/21-5/22) | Monique Fischer | Amanda Maloney | Ronel Namde | - | - | Los Angeles, CA (50th) | 355 |
| 2023 (6/22-5/23) | Monique Fischer | Jiuan-Jiuan Chen
(Karina Beeman) |
Elsa Thyss | #25, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX | Topics 20 | Jacksonville, FL (51th) | 377 |
| 2024
(6/23-5/24) |
Luisa Casella | Karina Beeman
(Sarah Casto) |
Elsa Thyss | - | - | Salt Lake City, UT (52th) | 374 individual members
90 institutions |
| 2025 (6/24-5/25) | Luisa Casella | Sarah Casto
(Laura Wahl) |
Elsa Thyss | #26, Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM | Topics 21 | (53th) | |
| 2026 (6/25-5/26) | - | - | (54th) |
References and Further Reading[edit | edit source]
- AIC Wiki History of Conservation and Conservators. Featuring José Orraca
- Helion, Courtney, and Luisa Casella. "Overview of the Evolution of Photograph Conservation." Papers Presented during the General and Concurrent Sessions, AIC’s 50th Annual Meeting, vol. 1, 2022, pp. 233–237. http://faic.wpenginepowered.com/aic-postprints/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/07/46-GSP2022_Courtney_Helion_and_Luisa_Casella_233-238.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
- Current Status of Treatment Practices in Photograph Conservation is an interviews-based reference resource by Alejandra Mendoza, presented in 2009 as her Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation Capstone Project. Thirteen interviews with photograph conservators are available online:
- Interview with Gary E. Albright, February 4, 2009
- Interview with Brenda Bernier, March 19, 2009
- Interview with Lee Ann Daffner, February 19, 2009
- Interview with Thomas M. Edmondson, January 26, 2009
- Interview with Monique Fischer, March 20, 2009
- Interview with Barbara Lemmen, March 9, 2009
- Interview with Pau Maynés, April 16, 2009
- Interview with Paul Messier, March 18, 2009
- Interview with Peter Mustardo, February 11, 2009
- Interview with Debra Hess Norris, February 17, 2009
- Interview with José Orraca Part I Part II, May 9, 2009
- Interview with James Reilly, May 21, 2009
- Interview with Grant Romer, February 7, 2009
- Long, Zach, Amanda Maloney, and Rachel Wetzel. “PMG Is Turning 40! A Look Back as the Group Celebrates a Major Anniversary and Approaches a Generational Shift.” Topics in Photographic Preservation 18 (2019): 210 to 216.
- Pau Maynés Interviewed several conservators in 2001. These interviews are available at George Eastman Museum.
- See also List of FAIC Oral History Project Interviewee List
| Copyright 2024. Photographic Materials Group Wiki is a publication of the Photographic Materials Group of the American Institute for Conservation. It is published as a convenience for the members of thePhotographic Materials Group. Publication does not endorse nor recommend any treatments, methods, or techniques described herein. Please follow PMG Wiki guidelines for citing PMG Wiki content, keeping in mind that it is a work in progress and is frequently updated.
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