05/08/2025
Did you know that there are many identifying features on physical photos?? There are a handful of techniques that we use daily in our studio to help identify and sift photos efficiently.
MEDIA: Major categories include photo albums, large/framed prints, medium prints (5×7), standard prints (4×6), Polaroids, negatives, and slides.
SIZE: For example, grouping all the 4×6 prints in one area and all the 3.5×5.5 prints in another, or separating 35mm slides and 2×2 “Superslides” into separate boxes.
SHAPE: Typically separating the rectangular prints from the square prints.
COLOR: Sifting by color is the first time we actually pay attention to the photos, and it’s a quick way to sift photos into smaller and smaller piles.
EDGE TREATMENT: Separating all the photos with deckled/scalloped edges from those with straight edges. Another edge treatment to look for is rounded vs. straight corners.
FINISH: Separate piles for glossy, matte, and textured papers.
FRONT PRINTING: By looking at the front of a photo we might see superimposed dates, print dates on white borders, or studio marks and logos!
BACKPRINTING: Some of the details we look for include the brand of paper (Kodak, Fuji, etc.), brand logos that change over time, photo processor branding such as a local drug store, and other markings such as dates, batch numbers, or print sequence numbers.
HANDWRITING: We look for notes and dates, but mostly for a sequence of photos with similar handwriting in the same ink color which indicates the photos were probably taken, printed, and marked together.
https://chaostomemories.com/sifting-physical-photos/
https://chaostomemories.com
