For many of us, our photo collections are our most treasured memories — the things we’d grab first in a fire. But over time, even our most treasured photos can lose their color and clarity.
Fading is a common issue, but thankfully, it’s often reversible. In this post, we explain what causes photos to fade, how to restore faded photos, and the steps you can take to fix a faded photo yourself or with help from the pros.
WHAT CAUSES PHOTOS TO FADE?
Just like our memories, photos can fade. Whether they’ve been tucked inside a shoebox for safekeeping or proudly displayed in a frame, a lot of different factors can cause them to fade. Here are some of the most common culprits:
SUNLIGHT
Direct sunlight is one of the fastest ways to fade a photograph, especially color prints. UV rays can break down the chemical compounds in photo paper and ink, causing images to lose contrast and vibrancy.
The signs of light damage are hard to miss — reds fading to pink or blacks turning gray. Nowadays, many print labs use inks and dyes with UV-protecting qualities, though it’s unlikely any of your old prints are protected in this way.
WATER DAMAGE
Even a little moisture can do a lot of harm to photos, with damp causing paper to warp and ink to run. Photos stored in basements or attics are especially at risk.
It’s not just liquid water that can create problems, either. High humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth on photographs, causing photos to stick together, warp, or turn cloudy.
Thankfully, under certain conditions, water-damaged photos can be salvaged.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS
Dust, smoke, and chemicals can also damage your photos over time. Dust might seem harmless, but can, over many years, scratch or dull the surface of a photo. Smoke from cigarettes or wood-burning fireplaces can coat your prints with oily residues that don’t just wipe off easily.
Airborne chemicals and pollution, like those from household cleaning supplies, can cause yellowing of photo prints and slowly lead to a chemical breakdown of both color and black-and-white photos that aren’t stored correctly.
IMPROPER STORAGE
Photos need a stable, safe environment to last. Storing them in acidic albums, magnetic pages, or non-archival boxes can accelerate deterioration.
Fluctuating temperatures and humidity (like in garages or attics) can also increase the speed at which your photos fade. Stacking prints or keeping them in direct contact with other materials can also lead to sticking or scratching.
UNSTABLE COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Color photographs, especially those from the mid-20th century, were never designed to last forever, as much as we want to hold on to our precious pictures forever.
Early color processing techniques and film types weren’t very stable: even when stored well, you’ll notice that many vintage color prints will naturally change color.
HOW TO FIX A FADED PHOTO
Thankfully, fading isn’t always permanent. Whether you want to try it yourself or leave it to the pros, with the right tools (and a little patience), you can restore faded photos. All you need to do is scan your image, upload it into a photo-editing software, and follow the instructions below.
- Equalize the tones: Adjust the brightness and contrast to rebalance the tonal range. This helps the darks look richer and the lights pop again, bringing depth back into the photo.
- Fix discoloration: Take note of the color shifts (usually yellowing whites or a strong red or blue tint), and adjust color balance and correct individual channels accordingly to neutralize unwanted hues.
- Remove halo effect: Fading can sometimes create a blurry “halo” around people or objects, especially along high-contrast edges, which can be removed by refining sharpness and using selective adjustments.
- Final touches: Complete the retouch by smoothing the grain, addressing any stains or creases, and sharpening important details like faces.
HOW TO PREVENT PHOTO FADING
To avoid having to restore faded photos, prevent the fading before it starts. Some best practices you can follow include:
FRAME THEM RIGHT
If you’re going to display photos, start by making a copy and keeping the original safely stored away. Then, choose high-quality protective frames with UV-filtering or light-reflective glass. Adding an acid-free mat between the glass and the photo will also help preserve it.
TRY A DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME
A digital photo frame is a great low-maintenance option to display your treasured memories without exposing prints to light and dust. You can show off hundreds of images in a rotating gallery, and add or remove photos as you please, with no risk to your originals.
STORE IN PHOTO-SAFE ALBUMS
It’s worth investing in acid-free, archival-quality photo albums for your prints. Skip the old “magnetic” albums with sticky pages, as you’ll find they can damage photos over time. Instead, look for albums with PVC-free sleeves or photo corners to keep your photos in place.
KEEP THEM IN STORAGE BOXES
A photo-safe storage box is the best option for photos you don’t want to display. Choose a box made from archival materials and store it in a cool, dry place (closet: yes; basement: no). Don’t just stack them in there either. For the best results, make sure photos are separated with acid-free paper to prevent sticking or rubbing.
DIGITIZE PHOTOS BEFORE THEY FADE
The easiest way to protect your photos from fading is to digitize them. Scanning your prints not only preserves the way they look right now, but it also gives you a backup you can reprint, edit, and share anytime.
At EverPresent, we make it easy to preserve your memories for the future. Just send us your prints, and our team of experts will professionally scan and digitize them, using high-resolution equipment that captures every detail.
You don’t even have to organize or tag your photos before sending them to us. We digitize your photos however you have them — in envelopes, shoeboxes, albums — and return them the same way.
Contact EverPresent to get started and learn more about how we can help you protect your most cherished memories.
