Why are old color photos all so RED?

Have you ever noticed that some old family photos look strangely red, as if all the other colors have faded away? This transcript explains why that happens, what causes printed photos to change over time, and how you can store or display them to slow down the fading process.

Why do old photos turn red?

Flipping through family photo albums, some of these pictures are so RED that they’re basically monochromatic! 

Is this a quirk of the film? Or the way photos were printed back then? 

No! And they didn’t always look like that. 

Printed photographs turn red over time because cyan dye particles break down faster than magenta dyes. 

Environmental factors like UV light exposure, heat, and humidity all contribute to dye degradation. 

But the way you store your photos can also play a role in how long those cool-toned colours hold up.

Make sure the pages of your photo albums are marked “acid free”, as well as any glue, tape, or adhesive you use to stick the photos to the pages. 

I use acid free glue for literally all my crafting because the alternative is so damaging to printed products. 

Store your photo albums and boxes somewhere dry, dark, and cool. The ideal temperature for photo storage is around 15 degrees celsius, and make sure they aren’t being hit by the sun on a regular basis. 

If you’re displaying photos on the wall, consider using a frame with UV-resistant glass. Basically sunglasses for your photos, these can help extend their lifespan and delay fading. 

Ultimately, all photos exposed to sunlight will fade over time- which is sad news for those of us who love a full photo wall.

Watch this short on Yvonne Hanson’s Youtube.