SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Yes, the media, especially older magnetic media like disks can deteriorate, but assuming the corruption wasn’t enough to keep the image from being displayed it would cause localized corruption of the image, not overall fading.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Chances are if the file is buggered, it won't load into the editor.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I think Lightroom 6.14 is so old that it is causing the fading!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

It’s possibly due to an ICC profile mismatch. Could an Adobe RGB file be interpreted as sRGB, somewhere in your imaging system? Examine file metadata to be sure the file is in the same color space as your working space, or that your software is matching it for you.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Well, we all know Lr 6.14 isn't supported anymore...but I'm pretty sure there is still a large user base. But I haven't heard anyone with this problem...(or rumor as some have dangerously noted). So, I can't start blaming tools as much as I can my own perception and improved PP skills. Thanks.....

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

All the images in these recent two posts were processed in LR6, like all my images presented to UHH and / or Flickr. The oldest images in the groupings date to 2009, and the camera involved dates to a 2006 purchase.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-765086-1.html
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-765333-1.html

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

I have experienced some loss of quality or color shifts on very old files that were saved on CDs and floppy disks. The original version of those files that were saved on the hard drives has survived well- no issues.I can only assume that the CDs and floppies were at fault.

Call me "old-school but I somehow believe that all digital media can be fragile or vulnerable to loss. For important family events and archival usage, I still advise clients to buy prints.- I still produce wedding albums and institutional and family portraits in traditional prints. I have display portraits in my home that are over 50 years old and still intact and have not faded.

I fully realize that modern digital media is not like old magnetic tape but I have experienced loss of music and other keepsakes on audio and video tape. Heat, electromagnetic fields, and bad storage can kill them. Sadly, it has become a "disposable" world". Also- playback gear often disappears or radically changes.

I consider myself somewhat tech-savvy but I am not a computer nerd and am basically an old photographer with a gray beard!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

^^^^^ - See Ron, what'd I tell you? Everyone else who knows nothing about computers says, "great, it's not my imagination." Awesome UHH contribution!!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

And so many are computer experts......
Probably don't know what a checksum is or what they are used for.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

OK Paul, I see your point. But, I hope you (and others) can distinguish a question from a statement of fact. My post posed a legit photo question about file degradation...this was an inquiry; not a statement of fact...and was not made for trolling bait! Unfortunately, that question has been misread and misinterpreted as a statement of truth among adult readers that May Not Have Read the informed responses in the tread.

So, for your satisfaction as the UHH Contribution Judge and before this is gets anymore ridiculous...how about an example of "hypothetical rumor"... Silver cameras take better pictures than Black cameras...everybody not familiar with photography knows that! (False and don't expect a response).

I hope you (and others) will continue to distinguish a Question from a Statement of Fact; I'm done explaining the difference between the two.

Thank You

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Good to hear from another Lr6.14 user and know my OP issue and observation are not with this program. (However, I have notice a moderate difference in color management between other stand-alone desk-top programs like, DXO Photo Lab 7, Capture 1, and Luminar Neo. Maybe there isn't a difference in Lr CC...but I wouldn't know for sure? I'm still using Lr6 also since I like the ease of the file management system.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

I did write that intending humor. That said, I enjoy the tools and toys in the subscription system more than any other entertainment I spend $10 on each month.

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

No harm, no foul, no problem

RonDavis Loc: Chicago, IL

Hi Ed....thanks for the informative response. Your(s) and other responses have help me think this trough.
I'm trying to understand if my issue with fading files is my perception or a physical reality. Since this fading issues is not universal across all files...I'm incline to believe my issue is a little of both. What I found acceptable back then, I wouldn't publish or proudly display now. That's (improved) perception.
I'm thinking the physical reality might be cause by the way I processed (older) files and workflow changes over the years...Example; there's probably a simple explanation regarding the difference in appearance between the sharp/vibrant file's on my SmugMug Page and the (faded) back-end source files on my computer hard drives...again, for some older files...not all. User error/changes in workflow..."might" be the cause for inconsistent appearance between the two (a physical reality)...and that's my bad. I'm examining this probably.

Thanks again,