In this paper we described a recently developed method, using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in silver colloids, to detect and identify organic photochromes and their main photodegradation products. The reported SERS data were obtained on the classical 6-nitro-8-methoxy-indolinospirobenzopyran. It was observed that SERS spectra of this photochrome arise mainly from open species (photomerocyanines), and display vibrational features typical of the indolinic moiety. From specific SERS detection of totally degradated solutions, obtained under UV irradiation, it pas possible to identify 5-nitrovanillin as the main photodegradation product and to estimate the proportions of this species and that of the remaining photochrome in various solvents (acetonitrile and dioxane).