Power of the photograph to preserve memories

PRINCE George will perhaps be singularly fortunate to be able to treasure Grandpa Middleton’s snap, supported as it will be by worldwide reproduction.

Kodak were among the leaders of the introduction of modestly priced colour photographs for the masses and it was not long afterwards I expressed concern for their lack of permanency when customers came to my studio asking to restore “this 
 old faded last photo of my mum and dad, taken 20 years ago at Brid”, thus demonstrating the probable loss of valued family memories and a huge gap in social archiving after a very short time span.

Now, the permanence of early digitally produced prints is also a problem, much improved but not entirely resolved.

Strangely, Kodak’s input into digital technology contributed to the company’s demise, but they are soon to be reinvented as they apply for removal from bankruptcy, aiming to reposition themselves in the now advanced methods of image-making.

My concern now is not for the permanence of the recorded image on substance and its questionable permanence, but the recording and often rapid deletion of the millions of social images made daily on various electronic devices.

Film required the recorded image to be printed to enable viewing. Now it is on an electronic screen. Wedding, christening, anniversary, whatever the occasion, the photographer shows the screen image to those interested and shortly afterwards, many are deleted, forever, a loss to posterity.

If it survives, it will be the descendants of Prince George who will cherish the snap, as I do an original print of the photograph of my father and grandmother taken in the studio of Boag of Driffield 120 years ago!