Fort Smith (Jan 17/05) - The massive shift towards digital photography has some people worried, including Kevin Brunt, the curator of the Northern Life Museum in Fort Smith.

Brunt, who is in the business of preserving history, is not sure how long digital photos will last, both printed and on CDs.

Kevin Brunt, the curator of Fort Smith's Northern Life Museum, holds a digital camera and an historic photo taken with a traditional camera. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

In fact, he thinks a time may come when there is a shortage of photos from this digital age.

"I think there is a very real possibility of a real gap," he said.

Brunt notes digital photography is a new technology.

"There's mixed feelings in the archival community on the longevity of digital media," he said.

Unproven technology

Storage of photos on CDs is unproven for longevity and there are different quality CDs, he notes.

CDs wear, except if they are stored in dark, cool places and are never touched.

Digital photos need to be printed on good quality paper to ensure they last as long as possible.

Fort Smith photographer Gene Seymour, who has been shooting digitally for eight years, recognizes there are concerns about the longevity of digital photos.

However, he said CDs or DVDs can last a long time if properly stored, depending on the quality of the product.

However, like Brunt, he says it is still a new technology and longevity is unproven.

"I'm not sure anybody knows."

If photos are printed on a good printer, they can last a long time, Seymour said. However, he said the photos should be sealed under plastic.

Seymour said many chemists and engineers are working to ensure ink jet pictures are as permanent as possible.

Today's printed digital photos can last 40 years or more - up to 100 years - and as long as traditional photos, he said.