Faded 35mm Slides & Photos: Causes and Restoration

Dark Fading vs. Light Fading

Your slides and photos can fade for different reasons. Dark fading happens even in storage from temperature and humidity reactions in the dyes. Light fading is caused by strong projection light over time—cumulative projector hours matter more than a single long showing.

Kodachrome

Some films (like Kodachrome) are more stable in dark storage but can discolor with extended projection. Glass mounts don’t necessarily protect the image and may accelerate fading.

Slide Deterioration

Improper storage and handling lead to scratches, fungus, and color shifts (often toward red or blue). Touching film encourages fungus growth, and using harsh cleaners can make deterioration worse. Early E-process films usually fade faster than later improvements.

As a rule of thumb, slides can begin to show fading after about two hours of total projection under an average bulb. Stronger bulbs speed up the effect—use the lowest strength that does the job.

Photo Paper Pictures

Prints also deteriorate—heat, humidity, album/cardboard chemicals, and fumes can yellow paper and shift colors. Digitizing sooner preserves today’s quality; even small originals will display large on a TV or computer once scanned.

Standard Color Restoration — No Extra Charge

Color restoration and adjustment is included in our scanning service. Every image is individually reviewed—results vary by source, but we work to produce the most pleasing color possible. See examples below.

Got slides like the “Before” examples? If you plan to scan at home, how will you handle color restoration? Our prices are reasonable, and expert restoration is included—so you can leave the tricky color work to us.

Color film uses three dye layers (yellow, cyan, magenta). The yellow layer is usually least stable in the dark, which is why many old films look pink. Once dyes fade, only careful digital restoration can help—cold, stable storage slows further loss, but digitizing secures what remains.