Preventative Care of Photographs

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Students should expect to undertake a minimum of 120 hours research, reading, writing and general study to complete this subject successfully

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in the Specialist Certificate in Preservation of Photographs. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit:
http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject examines the physical and environmental causes of deterioration of photographic, film and digital cultural material, and how these can be mitigated. Areas of study include biological attack, chemical pollutants, light exposure, fluctuations and extremes of relative humidity and temperature, physical stresses, vandalism, natural and human caused disasters. Students will examine a range of enclosures, and storage options for photographs, film and digital material. Students will undertake testing for deterioration and become familiar with current industry standards.

By the end of this subject, students will be able to:
• act as informed advocates for cultural material conservation, in particular photographic conservation,
• understand the main causes of the deterioration of photographic materials and be able to apply a problem-solving approach to the development of strategies to optimise the life expectancy of photographic collections

Assessment comprises three components:
• 1 hour test based on course pre-reading completed during the intensive delivery (20%)
• In class presentation to group, demonstrating problem solving approach (20%)
• 3,000 word essay, including annotated bibliography (60%) due at the end of the semester (approximately 10 weeks following course delivery)

Lavedrine, Bertrand 2009 Photographs of the Past; Process and Preservation. The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles
However, students will be provided with all texts and course notes required to complete this subject as part of their course fees.

NA

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject will develop their:
• Written and oral communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Understanding of professional and academic ethics and conduct