Maybe, just maybe I begin to approach photographic fine art?

[MrB]

I would suggest that a modern ink jet printed image on archival paper is probably a lot greener that storing it on a hard disk, and if well handled, it will last a lot longer (well over 100 years).

And if I did that you might be right. Though you would need to show me some proof for your belief. As it is I only temporarily store shots on my computer. One of my reasons for blogging is that I us my blog as storage. I rather doubt that the world will miss many or any of my shots in a hundred years.

Brian, I do not know whether Manfred is right in "green" terms - auditing the total environmental/energy impact of any process is often much more complex than it might at first appear. However, his second point is about the historical longevity of images and, in that regard I definitely support his point, and I think it is sufficiently important to digress from the main point of your thread for a moment.

Although it is sensible to back up your work on hard disks (wherever they are located), I suspect that those of future generations are more likely to see your own selection of photographs from your image store, if you commit them to the easily tangible and visible form of good quality medium-sized prints (e.g. 8x10). I would guess that many of us enjoy viewing decades- or centuries-old prints. Yours would have a reasonable chance of being seen long after old electronic storage technology at home has become obsolete and old files not converted to the new, and long after "cloud" passwords are forgotten or accounts have been closed down or data has been lost by catastrophe or terrorism.

As for: "I rather doubt that the world will miss many or any of my shots in a hundred years," who are you to judge? I would grant you that perhaps "the world" is going a tad too far, but there may be many individuals in the future who would enjoy viewing your work.

Philip

[JBW]

Brian, I do not know whether Manfred is right in "green" terms - auditing the total environmental/energy impact of any process is often much more complex than it might at first appear. However, his second point is about the historical longevity of images and, in that regard I definitely support his point, and I think it is sufficiently important to digress from the main point of your thread for a moment.

Although it is sensible to back up your work on hard disks (wherever they are located), I suspect that those of future generations are more likely to see your own selection of photographs from your image store, if you commit them to the easily tangible and visible form of good quality medium-sized prints (e.g. 8x10). I would guess that many of us enjoy viewing decades- or centuries-old prints. Yours would have a reasonable chance of being seen long after old electronic storage technology at home has become obsolete and old files not converted to the new, and long after "cloud" passwords are forgotten or accounts have been closed down or data has been lost by catastrophe or terrorism.

As for: "I rather doubt that the world will miss many or any of my shots in a hundred years," who are you to judge? I would grant you that perhaps "the world" is going a tad too far, but there may be many individuals in the future who would enjoy viewing your work.

Philip

Just behind and to the left of where I sit is a photo album that is about 25 years old. Prints on good quality paper (processed in Canada). Each and every one has deteriorated extensively. They have gone west because of the humidity in the tropical paradise we live in. Our books get eaten, the bindings come apart and photographs deteriorate quickly

If you feel a need to store memories on paper where many people live you need an environmentally controlled environment. Without it paper products simply will not last. I am agreeing with Manfred. If paper produycts are made from the right kinds of paper they may last a long time. But only if they are handled properly. Properly means in an environmentally controlled environment and by people with white cotton gloves.

I just googled and there is a company in Manila that will give me one 8x12 print done as a Giclee Print on Fine Art Paper / matte for only ₱ 1,616.04 plus shipping. I'm not sure if that is archival quality. I am sure that's expensive.

[xpatUSA]

Just behind and to the left of where I sit is a photo album that is about 25 years old. Prints on good quality paper (processed in Canada). Each and every one has deteriorated extensively. They have gone west because of the humidity in the tropical paradise we live in. Our books get eaten, the bindings come apart and photographs deteriorate quickly.

I can relate to that. The Texas Gulf Coast climate is similar for most of the year. Fortunately, air conditioning handles the humidity inside the shack, but anything stored outside pays the price, as I have found out to my cost in the past, e.g. lenses kept in a non-air-conditioned camper (my "studio").