Photodegradation: Why Your Prints Fade When Left in Sunlight

One piece of advice you’ve probably heard regarding printed photos is to never leave them in direct sunlight, which will cause the image to fade over time. If you’ve ever wondered what the science is behind this fading process, check out this short 2-minute explanation by the popular YouTube channel SciShow.

Host Hank Green discusses photodegradation, in which energy from the photons in sunlight break down the molecules in pigments and dyes, changing the way they reflect light and causing the colors to fade. Thus, to keep prints looking good for as long as possible, be sure to keep them in a dark environment.

(via SciShow via Laughing Squid)

Discussion