The document discusses best practices for digitizing collections. It emphasizes the importance of preparing materials before digitization through activities like organizing, describing, and preserving items. It also stresses planning infrastructure for storage and access, considering rights and permissions, collaborating with others, and having backup plans. The document provides guidance on assembling necessary equipment, skills, and support structures for a digitization project. It recommends trialing equipment, getting the best system within budget, and not forgetting additional needs like storage, lighting, and furniture.

1. Working Spaces 2

2. Shooting to Computing
Overview
Photographs are critically important, not just for the
identification of objects, but also for documenting the
history of the object in its original context and in its
museum context.
• identification
• assessment
• documentation
• on-going care
• management, including collection management system
• conservation treatments
• promotion, including web sites

3. Basic Photography Methods
Getting the Light Right
• direction
• quality
Hands On Photography Workflow
• setting
• camera and tripod
• lighting
• reflectors and props

4. Basic Photography Methods
Getting the Light Right
• direction
• quality
– hard light
– soft light
– reflectors

5. Basic Photography Methods
Getting the Light Right
• direction
• quality
– hard light
– soft light
– reflectors

6. Basic Photography Methods
Getting the Light Right
• direction
• quality
– hard light
– soft light
– reflectors

7. Basic Photography Methods
Getting the Light Right
• direction
• quality
– hard light
– soft light
– reflectors

8. Basic Photography Methods
Studio Photography – Single Spotlight & Reflector

9. Basic Photography Methods
Studio Photography – Single Soft Light & Reflector

10. Basic Photography Methods
Studio Photography – Single Soft Light & Two Reflectors

11. Basic Photography Methods
Studio Photography – Copy Setup for Flat Art incl. photos

12. Location Photography
When all is not ideal - DO NOT PANIC!
Location:
Airport Warehouse - Cocos-Keeling Is.
(summer, with approaching cyclone)
Highly Reflective Objects
• minimise reflections
• minimise light falling on camera,
photographer and items behind the
camera. Use dark partition/card if
available.
• use broad (even) light from both sides
or if only one light is available use
further away and bring in broad
reflector close to other side.

13. Location Photography
Visually Reflective Objects
• highly reflective object can be difficult
to photograph even when done within a
controlled environment such as a
photographic studio.
• utilising the white sheet, mentioned
previously, will minimize ‘busy’
reflections from objects immediately
nearby the object you are
photographing. If the sheet causes
some bright reflections itself then parts
can be folded back or a darker cloth
placed over the offending section.
• in the case of mirrors, try photograph
from a much further distance with a
very long lens to minimise the angle of
view to keep the camera and its
operator out of the reflection.

14. Location Photography
Visually Reflective Objects

15. Digital Camera Issues
• image area
• power requirements
• costs and fragility

16. Digital Camera Issues
Operational Issues
• shooting speed
– shutter delay or shutter lag
– processing and saving file
• menus
• white balance
• exposure

17. Digital Camera Issues
Operational Issues
• shooting speed
– shutter delay or shutter lag
– processing and saving file
• menus
• white balance
• exposure
– Photographing very light or very dark coloured objects
White Envelope Kodak 18% Grey Card Black Satchel

18. Digital Camera Issues
Operational Issues
• exposure
– Histogram

19. Digital Camera Issues
Quality
• shooting environment including tripod use
• focus
• exposure
• film or resolution settings including compression settings
• post production of images (image manipulation)

20. Image Management Workflow
Overview
• selecting a tool, method and/or software application
– ACDSee
– Adobe Photoshop Elements/Bridge,
– Adobe Lightroom,
– Adobe Photoshop/Bridge,
– Google Picasa,
– IDimager,
– IrfanView,
– iPhoto,
– Microsoft Expression Media,
– PaintShop Pro,
– PhotoImpact,
– PhotoSuite, etc. ………………………………………..

21. Image Management Workflow
Picassa

22. Image Management Workflow
ACDSee

23. Image Management Workflow
Photoshop Elements 4

24. Image Management Workflow
Photoshop Bridge

25. Image Management Workflow
Photoshop Lightroom

26. Image Management Workflow
IrfanView

27. Image Management Workflow
Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2

28. Image Management Workflow
• selecting a tool, method and/or software application
• image transfer and storage
– archiving and back-up
– moving files to computer
Image Buckets
Image Archive
MyImages-0001
MyImages-0002
…..

29. Image Management Workflow
• selecting a tool, method and/or software application
• image transfer and storage

30. Image Management Workflow
• reviewing images
• file naming and version control
• image renaming
• image metadata
• basic image editing concepts
• output and batch processing

31. Image Management Workflow
Review

32. Image Management Workflow
Renaming

33. Image Management Workflow
Image metadata
• Description
• Location
• Keywords (use a standard authority list)
• Date/Time (original image if copying)
• Creator
• Copyright
• Rating

34. Image Management Workflow
Image metadata

35. Image Management Workflow
Other things …. Colour Management
http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/adjust-monitor.html

36. Hands on session
• Grab your treasure

37. Hands on session
• and prepare to make your collections accessible!
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

42. Before you digitise ...
What pre-digitisation activities are there?
Is the collection organised?
– Describe and arrange (eg catalogue, caption, index)
– Work out a system for file names
Is it in reasonable condition or are there any special
needs?
– Preservation assessment and treatment
– Re-house and correctly store material
– Will cradles, easels or other supports be required
– Consider the possible effect of photographic lights and the heat
of scanners on material …

43. Digitisation will impact on ...
Impact of digitisation on others?
– Rights management – ownership, ©, privacy, cultural
sensitivities
– Provision of appropriate access
– Other projects and opportunities for collaboration
– Re-use of the digitised material
How long will it take to get ready to start?
Infrastructure – storage and delivery options for digital images
Risk management – what if something goes horribly wrong?
Have back-up plans!

44. Who will do the work?
Are people available within the organisation?
OR
Will you need to pay someone else to do the work or
provide you with advice?
What skills and competencies?
– Care and handling of collection material
– Imaging/photographic vs library skills
– Information Technology skills and experience
– Value-added knowledge of collection material and/or
subject area

45. What equipment?
What’s on the market and offered locally?
– Constantly changing technology
– After-sales support, warranty and service agreements
– Software compatibility
– Use personal and professional contacts
Try before you buy (if you can)
– Trial equipment and ask others what they’re using
– Leasing, “consortia” deals, joint equipment purchases
Get the “best” you can afford to do what you need

46. What other equipment?
Don’t forget the add-ons …
• Something to drive the imaging devices
• Software and licenses
• Peripherals and accessories
• Storage
• Light-boxes, bulbs and hoods
• Furniture and furnishings