Browsing by Author "Ali, Maha"

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INVESTIGATION AND CONSERVATION OF EL-SHENAWY PALACE PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION IN MANSOURA, EGYPT
(UNIV AGEAN, 2015) Ali, Maha; Ali, Mona; Darwish, Sawsan; Saker, Usama; Ciliberto, Enrico; Greco, Enrico; Viscuzo, Ezio; https://t.ly/YEJGv
Paper-based photographic collections are an essential part of the Egyptian cultural heritage both for their artistic and documentary value and as a record of the history of photography, as a technique as well as a form of artistic expression. Due to their significance, the interest in photographs is growing worldwide and institutions are making great efforts to increase access to photographic collection, as well as preserve originals for future generations. The threats to photographs are many. They are very sensitive to fluctuating temperatures and relative humidity, frequent handling, air pollution, light, and improper storage and display. Unlike other paper objects, photographs have special conservation requirements due to their complex and unique nature. A private collection was selected for this study. The collection consists of five black and white photographic prints documenting one of the most valuable structures of architectural heritage in the city of El-Mansoura. This paper describes the signs of deterioration present in the collection through documenting the preservation status of El-Shenawy palace photographic collection. It also describes the conservation treatments carried out to prolong their lifespan. Prior to treatment, the photographs were characterized and studied by visual inspection, digital camera, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) provided with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy unit was used to identify the components of the photographs, assess their preservation status, as well as study the morphology of the paper fibres in both the primary and secondary supports. Microbiological studies and pH measurements were also carried out. The results of the investigations revealed that image silver in most cases suffered from sulfiding, the secondary supports suffered from both oxidation and hydrolysis, and the gelatin binder also showed signs of degradation. Based on the results of previous studies, the following interventive conservation procedures were selected and carried out: disinfection, cleaning, dismantlement of the secondary support, deacidification, tear mending and compensating for losses, remounting, retouching, and rehousing.
RESTORATION OF SILVER GELATIN PRINTS IN THE DIGITAL ERA: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH
(UNIV ALEXANDRU IOAN CUZA IASI, 2018-09) Talaat, Khaled; Stanco, Filippo; Ali, Maha; Yosri, Mohamed
One of the most common physical damage in silver gelatin prints is losses which occurs due to many deterioration factors (i.e. rodent attack improper handling, fire, etc.). Conventionally, conservators compensated for the losses by making paper infills. While this method improves the physical structure of the treated print, it creates an unacceptable appearance due to the large contrast between the tone of the original photograph and the blank paper. Manual retouching of the missing part does not provide a better solution either, since it is achieved using a different medium (i.e. watercolors, ink washes, conte crayons, pastels, and graphite). Many conservators are now aware of the advantages of digital restoration in treating old photographs. Hence, the importance of this study, which focuses mainly on modifying conventional methods used to treat losses by combining it with a digital restoration technique. The concept of this idea is solely based on the authors' vision. Accordingly, the main aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed novel technique. Experiments were carried out on two old photographs of no significant value. Both photographs suffered from losses, particularly around the edges. Missing parts were digitally restored using Adobe Photoshop Software. Restored image data was then printed on Japanese paper using two types of printers: inkjet and laser. Samples or each printing process was exposed to artificial aging at a temperature of 80 degrees and 65% relative humidity for a period of 120 hours to study the long-term efficacy of the proposed technique; as well as the effects it has on silver gelatin prints. Several examination and analysis methods were carried out for technique evaluation including: visual inspection, scanning electron microscope equipped with an EDX unit, attenuated total Reflectance Fourier transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), colorimetric measurements, pH value measurement, and the Oddy test. Based on obtained results, laser printing is much more stable compared to inkjet printing; and therefore, it is considered the best option for this technique. All in all, one can conclude that the proposed technique is a very promising technique which can be efficiently used to restore losses in damaged photographic prints with slight effects on the original photograph.
SOLVENT CLEANING OF ANTIQUE CHROMOGENIC PRINTS: AN ANALYTICAL COMPARATIVE STUDY
(UNIV AGEAN, 2017) Ali, Maha; Ali, Mona; Darwish, Sawsan; Saker, Usama; Ciliberto, Enrico
Chromogenic prints were the classic form of color photography in the latter half of the 20th century. Overall, photographs are considered composite objects with complex structures. However, color photographs are much more complex in structure than black and white; and therefore present special preservation challenges. Since photographs are in high demand due to their numerous applications, they often suffer from damage as a result of improper and frequent handling. Particulates, which may be greasy, grimy, abrasive, and chemically or biologically active, settle on shelves and on collection materials causing both physical and chemical damage. Accordingly, photographs may benefit greatly from surface cleaning treatments. Treatments chosen for this experiment were based on the following solvents: acetone, toluene, ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. Changes promoted in the binder and image silver, as a result of these treatments, were measured in order to evaluate the benefits and potential problems of each treatment and estimate if they can be used without unacceptable change in the original image now and in the future. The tests are based on the consideration of the following criteria: changes in the surface characteristics through digital imaging, atomic force microscopy (AFM); changes in the density of image silver through densitometric measurements; changes in the chemical structure of the gelatin binder through attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), changes in color and gloss through spectrocolorimetric measurements; and disturbance of the binder (i.e. ninhydrin test). Data obtained from naturally and artificially aged samples were compared with those of the control