Labelling photographs

[Mungbeans]

I acquired a bunch of old family photographs (originals) from a distant cousin and have since made several copies (at the local digital photograph store) so that each branch of my mother's family can receive a copy.  I plan to place them in photo albums and present them as christmas presents to each of my aunts.

I will be placing a notation beside each photograph in the album itself, but think that it would be wise to also annotate each photograph on its back in case it is removed from the album in the future. 

My question is:  what is the best way to label a photograph?  What details should I include?  Should I use pen (which will be very tedious - one photos I've had 15 copies made!) or can I print the description on computer labels and place the labels on the backs of the photographs.  I read once that the resins in sticky tape and labels can leach through over time and damage the photogrpahs.  Should I worry about this, as I will also be including a CD of the scanned photographs.

Cheers
Leonie

[Man of Kent]

Try this link,
http://dmoz.org/Society/Genealogy/Software/

Everyone is differant and you are limited by your own imagination.
Ok you are restricted to a point because of space, but an index on the first page, numbered.
An on the page itself maybe name, date, and relationship.

[Mungbeans]

I was thinking something like:

Joseph Bloogs 1826-1872 and Anne Twiggs 1828-1880
Wedding photograph
Cr. 1848

or

Bloogs Family (left to right)
Top row:  Brian (1849), Henry (1852), Timothy (1862), Henry Twiggs (1826-1902)
Middlerow:  John (1854), Joseph (1826), Lydia (1858)
Bottom row:  Anne (1828), Annie Jane Twiggs (1800-1878),  Emily (1868)
Cr. 1869

My main concern is how to label the physical photographs themselves.  Obviously it would be easier to print this type of information onto a label and then place that on the back of the photograph.  Is there any problem with placing labels on the backs of photographs?

Leonie

[deadants]

This sounds like something that PrueM will have an answer to.

[dennford]

     My own rule is never to write or stick anything onto an original photo', but to write in a soft graphite pencil on the back of a copy so that the information can be reconcilled with the picture.
     However I would as deadants suggests be interested in what Prue has to say.
                                       Denn

[Ros Fornaro]

Only use pencil as ink will eventurally eat into the photo.  On the shiny more recent photos I write in pencil onto a label and then attach.  Photo albums should have acid free paper.

Ros