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  • 1.  Photo Light Box

    Posted 8 days ago
    Hi all, 

    I am curious as to what everyone uses to take pictures of their artifacts? Do you use a light box, homemade set up or other? We are training new staff and looking to upgrade our process, any suggestions are much appreciated! 

    Thanks!


  • 2.  RE: Photo Light Box

    Posted 8 days ago

    Hi Neylan,

    Great question! If you're looking for ideas while others share their own setups, here are a couple of resources I've found helpful:

    • Digital Photography for Object Documentation (National Archives/Sustainable Heritage Network) – Although it was published in 2018, the guidance on lighting, backgrounds, workflow, and documentation standards is still very relevant. Some of the camera recommendations have naturally evolved, but the fundamentals remain the same.

    • Object Photography for Collections (State Historical Society of Iowa) – A nice demonstration of a practical object photography setup and workflow that may be especially helpful if you're training new staff.

    I'm also interested to hear what others are using. Have people found light tents, DIY setups, or dedicated copy stands to work best for their collections?

    Kate



    ------------------------------
    Kate Jacus
    Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
    Preservation Education Specialist
    Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for NY (DHPSNY)
    *based at the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts
    Philadelphia, PA
    USA
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  • 3.  RE: Photo Light Box

    Posted 7 days ago

    Hello, the following is a personal setup and not an endorsement of any specific product.

    1. Collections: digital camera Sony Alpha A III, Manfrotto tripod, 6" 4k monitor,  Sekonic light meter, X-rite Color checker passport, small/large seamless backdrops, two large standing LED lights.
    2. Archives: Kaiser copy stand, Kaiser book holder,  smaller table-top LED lights. 
    3. Collection Management System/registrar work: Iphone, handheld or on tripod with cellphone attachment (I phone models 13 and above also are Li-Dar capable for 3-d scanning and printing with certain apps, e.g. scaniverse, polycam).
    4. We also use the adobe suite for processing following capture.

     

    I would also encourage a visit to the FADGI website for technical guidelines that will help the accessibility and long term preservation of Digital media (preferred file size, best format, work flow, storage, etc.).

     

    Guidelines: Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials - Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative

     

     

    Sincerely,

    Tallias Cantsee

    Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum

     




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Photo Light Box

    Posted 7 days ago

    Hi Neylan,

    For marketing and exhibition purposes we do professional photography in-house. We have a designated area with seamless backdrops in different colors where studio lights with diffusers and camera can be set up. 
    For database and public object record purposes we use a folding white poster board as back drop, a white clean surface, a simple LED ring light, and DSLR camera (we just upgraded from our ipad!). You can edit light adjustments on photoshop or image software before uploading. This set up is simple enough for anyone to do on their own.

    Our photographer helps us when objects need a larger backdrop or textiles need to be set up. imageimage



    ------------------------------
    Grisel Marquez
    Assistant Registrar for Collections
    Mingei International Museum
    San Diego
    United States
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