Film Storage

Let's be clear, excess accumulation is a principle that wholly undermines the notion of sustainability, and runs contrary to all of the “green” practices we’ve compiled in this blog. That being said, no one is perfect, and mistakes are made with even the best intentions that lead circumstances where you’re stuck with more than you need! Say you’ve purchased a large stock of film that you intend to use relatively soon, but due to scheduling conflicts or other happenings in your life, it instead must be put aside for a while. While most films are manufactured to last at room temperature until their date of expiration, aging is an unavoidable problem. Because of the loss in quality caused by age and temperature related decay, many photographers will simply throw out old film, whether its before or after the expiration date! To this we say nay! There be other ways!

A common practice amongst hobbyists and professionals alike is to refrigerate film in its original packaging the moment you get it. Room-temperature storage, especially during the summer when exposure to extreme heat is most likely, can lead to the early decay of film quality. So refrigerating or freezing film can help prevent the deleterious effects of heat and age. This way instead of throwing away and wasting the unused film after its been left out, you can make sure to use every last bit of the chemically harmful material you’ve already purchased. Refrigeration is recommended for films that you intended to be use before their expiration date, and especially for all films during the hot summer months. Freezing is a more long-term solution, where if there’s a possibility the film won’t be used for years, often after expiration, then film can be preserved with relative success by storing it in a freezer. While Kodak doesn’t recommend the practice of freezing, many photographers live by it. Results vary by every stock of film, and some trial and error is necessary to divine the best solution but generally these preservative measures can be very successful in keeping your film valuable long after you purchase it.

Other suggestions: Make sure you transport and store film in the manner described usually on the packaging in which you bought it. Always avoid extreme heat (don’t leave it in the car to bake), and be mindful of its handling and exposure to light. When traveling, be sure to keep film away from security’s X-Ray scanners! This way, silly and easily avoided risks don’t destroy the valuable film you have invested in.

Some helpful links:
A nice discussion amongst the photo-community of freezing techniques-

Kodak’s recommended storage measures