pH7 a.s.b.l. was founded in the early 1980's in order to inform European photographers and museum staff on existing photographic conservation techniques. At that time photoconservation, as seen by the majority of the photographic community, still was in its infant stage, although its principles referred to the findings of the scientific committees of the 1850"s, organized by the Photographic Society of London and the Société Française de Photographie in Paris.

All along its history, photography saw the development of the stability of its components by the manufacturers of photographic equipment and materials but, the photographers themselves, were relatively slow to adopt archival safe handling and storage techniques.
In the United States, the principles of archival processing seem to have been applicated at an early stage by the majority of photographers. In Europe, and the rest of the world, the situation has evolved more slowly, perhaps by lack of information sources.

Our site contains important information on historic and alternative processes as well as on photoconservation techniques in french and flemish. As these topics are well documented in english on several websites, our english speaking friends are invited to consult our recommended photographic links.

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