History of the Photographic Materials Group

Page Information	Page Information
Date initiated 	February 2014
Contributors 	Luisa Casella, Alejandra Mendoza, Stephanie Watkins
Category:Photographic Materials
	Photographic Materials Group
__TOC__
The Photographic Materials Group of the American Institute for Conservation was officially formed with a signed article of incorporation in August 1979, making it the first Specialty Group within AIC. Initially, its members met annually at the general AIC meetings and at an annual winter meeting specific to the group. By 1989, biennial winter meetings replaced the yearly ones. The PMG Specialty Group has between 250 to 400 AIC members a year. Members can find the Latest Discussion Posts and membership totals at the Online Community Forum. 
The PMG goals are:
:A. To encourage and facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about photograph conservation and to promote the development of sound conservation practices.
:B. To promote the publication of scholarly articles on photograph conservation and related topics.
:C. To develop closer ties with other related disciplines, and to disseminate responsible information on the care of photographs
===Publications===
The PMG encourages the publication of books, periodical resources, articles and other useful tools like sample sets. The PMG Publications Committee coordinates these efforts. PMG publications are divided into Books, Topics in Photographic Preservation (biannual periodical), PMG wiki, Photographic Print Sample Sets, and other publications (brochures, articles, forms).
==== Books ====
:Coatings on Photographs: Materials, Techniques, and Conservation, edited by Constance McCabe, 2005. 
:Platinum and Palladium Photographs: Technical History, Connoisseurship, and Preservation, edited by Constance McCabe, 2017.
==== Topics in Photographic Preservation ====
The Photographic Materials Group publishes Topics in Photographic Preservation biennially since 1988. It is a compilation of papers presented at PMG sessions during the annual meetings of the AIC and during PMG biennial winter meetings, but can also contain other submissions related to photographic materials. Published research and treatment is authored by scientists, conservators, and historians in the field. Although contributors are trained professionals, none of the papers in Topics are peer reviewed.
==== PMG Wiki ====
The PMG Wiki is an interactive and collaborative resource for conservators and conservation students to learn and share about topics in photograph conservation. It is a dynamic endeavor that aims to foster communication and connectivity through an active exchange of information on developing research and the current trends and needs of the field. For information on the Development of the PMG Wiki and the Photographic Materials Conservation Catalogs visit History of the PMG Wiki.
==== Photographic Print Sample Sets ====
Photographic Print Sample Sets are useful as research tools or for educational purposes. Four different sets of prints have been produced. 
:Set 1 Historic (created 2007, reprinted 2009) 
::These prints provide the opportunity to examine the general features and compare detailed characteristics of different processes. Each sample set includes five prints printed with the same 5 x 7 inch negative. Processes included are:
::1. Cyanotype
::2. Albumen Print
::3. Salted Paper Print
::4. Glossy Gelatin- Silver Printed-out Print
::5. Matte Gelatin- Silver Developed-out Print
:Set 2 Digital (created 2006) 
::The Digital Sample Set consists of 25 digital and traditional print samples all made from digital files. The sample set binder includes the following processes:
::# Digital exposure to Chromogenic paper (under magnification: no "soft grid' apparent)
::# Digital exposure to Chromogenic paper (under magnification: "soft grid' apparent)
::# Digital exposure to silver dye bleach paper
::# Digital exposure to silver gelatin fiber based paper
::# Digital exposure to Chromogenic transparency film
::# Digital exposure to silver gelatin film
::# Fuji Pictrography
::# Direct thermal (D1T1)
::# Direct thermal transfer (D1T2)
::# Dye diffusion thermal transfer (D2T2), also known as Dye Sublimation
::# Electrophotography (black and white dry toner)
::# Electrophotography (color dry toner)
::# Electrophotography (liquid toner)
::# Inkjet (liquid, dye based, continuous) on fine art paper
::# Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on fine art paper
::# Inkjet (monochrome liquid, DOD [drop on demand]) on fine art paper
::# Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on uncoated paper
::# Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated paper
::# Inkjet (liquid, pigment-based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated RC paper
::# Inkjet (liquid, dye based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated RC paper
::# Inkjet (liquid, pigment based, DOD [drop on demand]) on coated paper
::# Offset printing with AM screening
::# Offset printing with FM screening
::# Pigment transfer process from digitally produced separation negatives
::# Thermal Autochrome
:Set 3 Gelatin (created 2014) 
:: This sample set consists of 8 sets of Silver Gelatin Developed-out Prints on vintage photographic papers. Each set includes 4 samples of the same paper type with these variations:
:: Sample 1: printed and processed
:: Sample 2: printed, processed and toned with selenium (Kodak Rapid Selenium Toner)
:: Sample 3: printed, processed and toned with a sulfur toner (Kodak Sepia Toner)
:: Sample 4:  fixed only (white)
:Set 4 Analog (created 2018) 
::The set includes samples of 17 analog photographic processes: color prints, black and white prints, and the most popular negative and transparency films.
==== Other publications ====
*The Photographic Information Record represents the effort by many colleagues to create an “international standard” for an artist’s questionnaire form. Available in thirteen languages. 
*Conservation of Photographs: Thirty Years of Science. The lectures gathered in this book were written for the International Conference “Photo Conservation 2011-Thirty Years of Photograph Conservation Science” held in Logroño, Spain on June 20-23, 2011, by the Casa de la Imagen with the scientific direction by Ángel M. Fuentes. This is a Conservación Acceso Archivos Patrimoniales and PMG join publication. Table of contents
*Caring for Photographs Brochure, from Caring for Your Treasures series, published by the AIC. 
===Yearly Timeline===
History presented here is gathered from PMG executive council files, personal files and memories of the following individuals: Gary Albright, Luisa Casella, Alisha Chipman, Thomas M. Edmondson, Constance McCabe, Stephanie Watkins.
See also PMG Officers Page
Year 	Chair 	Program Chair (Assistant Program Chair)	Secretary-Treasurer 	PMG Winter Meeting 
(# and location) 	Topics Vol.	AIC Annual Meeting 	Number of PMG Members (totals recorded in May each year for Business Meeting)	Awards and Tributes
See also linked 	Notes
1973 	 	 	 	 	 	Kansas City, MO (1st) 	 	 	
1974 	 	 	 	 	 	Cooperstown, NY (2nd) 	 	 	
1975 	 	 	 	 	 	Mexico City, Mexico (3rd) 	 	 	
1976 	 	 	 	 	 	Dearborn, MI (4th) 	 	 	
1977 	 	 	 	 	 	Boston, MA (5th) 	 	 	
1978 	 	 	 	 	 	Fort Worth, TX (6th) 	 	 	
1979 PMG forms, Aug 20th at University of Delaware	 	 	 	 	 	Toronto, CA (7th) 	8 founding members 	 	
1980 (8/79-5/80) 	Jose Orraca 	- 	Gary Albright 	- 	- 	San Francisco, CA (8th) 	 	 	
1981 (6/80-5/81) 	Jose Orraca 	- 	Gary Albright 	#1, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX 	- 	Philadelphia, PA (9th) 	13 	 	
1982 (6/81-5/82) 	Siegfried Rempel 	- 	Debbie Hess Norris 	#2, George Eastman House, Rochester, NY 	- 	Milwaukee, WI (10th) 	 	 	
1983 (6/82-5/83) 	Siegfried Rempel 	- 	Debbie Hess Norris 	#3, Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Theme: “The Preparation of Materials for Display" 	- 	Baltimore, MD (11th) 	 	 	
1984 (6/83-5/84) 	Debbie Hess Norris (1st Term) 	Gary Albright 	Holly Maxson 	#4, Photographic Archives, University of Louisville. Louisville, KY. Theme: "Gelatin Photographic Materials" 	- 	Los Angeles, CA (12th) 	115 	 	
1985 (6/84-5/85) 	Debbie Hess Norris 	Gary Albright 	Holly Maxson 	#5, Philadelphia, PA. 	- 	Washington, DC (13th) 	167 	 	
1986 (6/85-5/86) 	Debbie Hess Norris (2nd Term) 	Douglas Severson 	Debora Mayer 	#6, Mills House Hotel & Hibernia Hall Charleston, SC 	Topics 1 	Chicago, IL (14th) 	168 	 	
1987 (6/86-5/87) 	Debbie Hess Norris 	Douglas Severson 	Debora Mayer 	#7, New Orleans, LA 	- 	Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (15th)	201 	 	
1988 (6/87-5/88) 	Douglas Severson 	Nora Kennedy 	Constance McCabe 	- 	Topics 2 	New Orleans, LA (16th) 	241 	 	
1989 (6/88-5/89) 10 year anniversary 	Douglas Severson 	Nora Kennedy 	Constance McCabe 	#8, Kansas City, MO 	Topics 3 	Cincinnati, OH (17th) 	191 	 	
1990 (6/89-5/90) 	Constance McCabe 	Robin Siegel 	 	- 	- 	Richmond, VA (18th) 	218 	 	
1991 (6/90-5/91) 	Constance McCabe 	Robin Siegel 	 	#9, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 	Topics 4 	Albuquerque, NM (19th) 	245 	Klus B. Hendriks granted PMG Extraordinary Achievement/ Contribution in Photographic Conservation Recognition 	
1992 (6/91-5/92) 	Greg Hill 	Gary Albright 	Robin Siegel 	- 	- 	Buffalo, NY (20th) 	271 	 	
1993 (6/92-5/93) 	Greg Hill 	Gary Albright 	Robin Siegel 	#10, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX (Wilhelm Color Photography Session) 	Topics 5 	Denver, CO (21st) 	321 	 	
1994 (6/93-5/94) 	Sarah Wagner 	Barbara Brown 	Barbara Lemmen 	- 	- 	Nasvhille, TN (22nd) 	300 	 	
1995 (6/94-5/95) 	Sarah Wagner 	Barbara Brown 	Barbara Lemmen 	#11, National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC 	Topics 6 	St. Paul, MN (23rd) 	311 	 	
1996 (6/95-5/96) 	Carol Turchan 	Barbara Lemmen 	Nancy Reinhold 	- 	- 	Norfolk, VA (24th) 	365 	 	
1997 (6/96-5/97) 	Carol Turchan 	Barbara Lemmen 	Nancy Reinhold 	#12, SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA 	Topics 7 	San Diego, CA (25th) 	 	James M. Reilly, Douglas W. Nishimura, and Monique C. Fischer received the Scientific and Technical Award (Technical Achievement Award) from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the creation of A-D Strips.	
1998 (6/97-5/98) 	Gary Albright 	Andrew Robb 	Monique Fischer 	- 	- 	Arlington, VA/ Washington, DC (26th) 	410 	Debra Hess Norris granted Gettens Award 	
1999 (6/98-5/99) 20 year anniversary 	Andrew Robb 	Thomas M. Edmondson 	Monique Fischer 	#13, Harrison D. Horblit Collection of Early Photography Symposium & Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA 	Topics 8 	Dallas, TX (27th) 	 	 	
2000 (6/99-5/00) 	Andrew Robb 	Thomas M. Edmondson 	Monique Fischer 	- 	- 	Philadelpia, PA (28th) 	400 	José Orraca granted Keck Award 	
2001 (6/00-5/01) 	Andrew Robb 	Thomas M. Edmondson 	Monique Fischer 	#14, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX 	Topics 9 	Dallas, TX (29th) 	 	Peter Krauze awarded PMG Extraordinary Achievement/ Contribution in Photographic Conservation Recognition 	
2002 (6/01-5/02) 	Thomas M. Edmondson (1st Term)	Lee Ann Daffner 	Theresa Andrews 	- 	- 	Miami, FL (30th) 	351 	 	
2003 (6/02-5/03) 	Thomas M. Edmondson 	Lee Ann Daffner 	Theresa Andrews (secretary); Stephanie Watkins (acting treasurer)	#15, Ballaja Headquarters, San Juan, Puerto Rico 	Topics 10 	Arlington, VA/ Washington, DC (31st) 	359 	 	
2004 (6/03-5/04) 	Thomas M. Edmondson (2nd Term)	Paul Messier 	Dana Hemmenway 	- 	- 	Portland, OR (32nd) 	314 	Debra Hess Norris granted Keck Award 	
2005 (6/04-5/05) 	Thomas M. Edmondson 	Paul Messier 	Dana Hemmenway 	#16, City of Vancouver Archives, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 	Topics 11 	Minneapolis, MN (33rd) 	348 	 	
2006 (6/05-5/06) 	Marc Harnly 	Laura Downey-Staneff 	Dana Hemmenway 	- 	- 	Providence, RI (34th) 	372 	Nora Kennedy granted Keck Award 	
2007 (6/06-5/07) 	Marc Harnly 	Laura Downey-Staneff 	Dana Hemmenway 	#17, George Eastman House, Rochester, NY (joint meeting with ICOM-CC Photographic Materials Group) 	Topics 12 	Richmond, VA (35th) 	 	Constance McCabe granted David Magoon-University Products Conservation Advocacy Award 	
2008 (6/07-5/08) 	Adrienne Lundgren 	Lyzanne Gann 	Erin Murphy 	- 	- 	Denver, CO (36th) 	365 	Constance McCabe granted Lifetime Achievement Award for 40 Years of Service to the Field of Photograph Conservation; Debra Hess Norris granted David Magoon-University Products Conservation Advocacy Award 	
2009 (6/08-5/09) 30 year anniversary 	Adrienne Lundgren 	Lyzanne Gann 	Erin Murphy 	#18, Contemporary Museum of Photography, Tuscon, AZ 	Topics 13 	Los Angeles, CA (37th) 	367 	José Orraca granted AIC Honorary Membership 	
2010 (6/09-5/10) 	Barbara Brown (1st Term) 	Monique Fischer 	Rachel Wetzel 	- 	- 	Milwaukee, WI (38th) 	408 	 	
2011 (6/10-5/11) 	Barbara Brown 	Monique Fischer 	Rachel Wetzel 	#19, Ottawa, National Archives and Library of Canada 	Topics 14 	Philadelphia, PA (39th) 	391 	Thomas Edmondson granted Keck Award 	
2012 (6/11-5/12) 	Barbara Brown (2nd Term) 	Monique Fischer 	Rachel Wetzel 	- 	- 	Albuquerque, NM (40th) 	470 	 	
2013 (6/12-5/13) 	Barbara Brown 	Monique Fischer 	Rachel Wetzel 	#20, National Library of New Zealand, Wellington, NZ (joint meeting with ICOM-CC Photographic Materials Working Group)	Topics 15 	Indianapolis, IN (41st) 	388 	Mogens S. Koch granted Extraordinary Achievement/Contribution in Photographic Conservation Recognition 	
2014 (6/13-5/14) 	Sylvie Pénichon 	Sarah Freeman 	Alisha Chipman 	- 	- 	San Francisco, CA (42nd) 	436 	 	
2015 (6/14-5/15) 	Sylvie Pénichon 	Sarah Freeman 	Alisha Chipman 	#21, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 	Topics 16 	Miami, FL (43rd) 	362 	 	
2016 (6/15-5/16) 	Sylvie Pénichon 	Tram Vo 	Alisha Chipman (one year, move to stagger officers) 	- 	- 	Montreal, Canada (44th) 	359 	Peter Adelstein granted Extraordinary Achievement/Contribution in Photographic Conservation Recognition 	
2017 (6/16-5/17) 	Sylvie Pénichon 	Tram Vo 	Saori Kawasumi Lewis 	#22, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO 	Topics 17 	Chicago, IL (45th) 	313 	Gary Albright granted Keck Award 	
2018 (6/17-5/18) 	Barbara Lemmen 	Tatiana Cole 	Saori Kawasumi Lewis 	- 	- 	Houston, TX (46th) 	309 	 	
2019 (6/18-5/19) 40 year anniversary 	Barbara Lemmen 	Tatiana Cole 	Heather Brown 	#23, New York Public Library, NYC, NY (joint meeting with ICOM-CC Photographic Materials Working Group) 	Topics 18 	Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT (47th) 	332 	 	
2020 (6/19-6/20) 	Maria Fernanda Valverde 	Katie Sanderson 	Heather Brown 	- 	- 	Virtual Meeting (48th) (pandemic) 	342 	M. Susan Barger granted David Magoon-University Products Conservation Advocacy Award; Mike Ware granted Allied Professionals award by AIC 	
2021 (7/20-5/21) 	Maria Fernanda Valverde 	Katie Sanderson (Amanda Maloney) 	Ronel Namde 	#24, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX: Meeting postponed to annual AIC meeting (pandemic) 	Topics 19 	Virtual Meeting (49th)
(pandemic) 	354 	 	
2022 (6/21-5/22) 	Monique Fischer 	Amanda Maloney 	Ronel Namde 	- 	- 	Los Angeles, CA (50th) 	355 	Scott Williams granted Allied Professionals award by AIC 	
2023 (6/22-5/23) 	Monique Fischer 	Jiuan-Jiuan Chen
(Karina Beeman) 	Elsa Thyss 	#25, Harry Ransom Center, Austin, TX 	Topics 20 	Jacksonville, FL (51th) 	377 	Sarah Wagner receives Feller Award; Ronel Namde receives President's Award 	
2024
(6/23-5/24) 	Luisa Casella 	Karina Beeman
(Sarah Casto) 	Elsa Thyss 	- 	- 	Salt Lake City, UT (52th) 	482 	Debra Hess Norris Awarded Forbes Medal 	
2025 (6/24-5/25) 	Luisa Casella 	Sarah Casto
(Laura Wahl) 	Elsa Thyss 	#26, Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM 	Topics 21 	(53th) 	551 
(61 institutions, 490 individuals) 	Gary Albright granted Extraordinary Achievement/Contribution in Photographic Conservation Recognition 	
2026 (6/25-5/26) 	Tatiana Cole 	Laura Wahl
(Mirasol Estrada) 	Elsa Thyss 	- 	- 	Minneapolis , MN (54th) 	 	 	
2027 (6/25-5/26) 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
===References and Further Reading===
 
* AIC Wiki History of Conservation and Conservators. Featuring José Orraca
* Albright, Gary, and Thomas Edmondson. "History and Significance of the PMG Winter Meeting." AIC News, vol. 50, no. 1, Jan. 2025, American Institute for Conservation, pp.1, 8-10.
*Helion, Courtney, and Luisa Casella. "Overview of the Evolution of Photograph Conservation." Papers Presented during the General and Concurrent Sessions, AIC’s 50th Annual Meeting, vol. 1, 2022, pp. 233–237. http://faic.wpenginepowered.com/aic-postprints/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/07/46-GSP2022_Courtney_Helion_and_Luisa_Casella_233-238.pdf. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
*Current Status of Treatment Practices in Photograph Conservation is an interviews-based reference resource by Alejandra Mendoza, presented in 2009 as her Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation Capstone Project. Thirteen interviews with photograph conservators are available online:
** Interview with Gary E. Albright, February 4, 2009
** Interview with Brenda Bernier, March 19, 2009
** Interview with Lee Ann Daffner, February 19, 2009
** Interview with Thomas M. Edmondson, January 26, 2009
** Interview with Monique Fischer, March 20, 2009
** Interview with Barbara Lemmen, March 9, 2009
** Interview with Pau Maynés, April 16, 2009
** Interview with Paul Messier, March 18, 2009
** Interview with Peter Mustardo, February 11, 2009
** Interview with Debra Hess Norris, February 17, 2009
** Interview with José Orraca Part I Part II, May 9, 2009
** Interview with James Reilly, May 21, 2009
** Interview with Grant Romer, February 7, 2009
* Long, Zach, Amanda Maloney, and Rachel Wetzel. “PMG Is Turning 40! A Look Back as the Group Celebrates a Major Anniversary and Approaches a Generational Shift.” Topics in Photographic Preservation 18 (2019): 210 to 216.
** Slideshow: https://community.culturalheritage.org/blogs/heather-brown/2019/03/19/happy-40th-anniversary-pmg
* Pau Maynés Interviewed several conservators in 2001. These interviews are available at George Eastman Museum.
* See also List of FAIC Oral History Project Interviewee List
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Category:Photographic Materials
Category: History of Conservation and Conservators