All,
Thank you for your tips & suggestions. I have a lot to think about! Not only is this my first undertaking as a museum intern but it's also my first time using Museum-L as a resource. Thanks again!

Christian 


We have both kinds.....country and western

Date: Wed, 8 Jul 2015 14:40:48 -0400
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Photographing large items
To: [log in to unmask]










I absolutely agree that proper 
setting of the camera for the light source is important, but not as much as it 
used to be with film.  But that is ONLY if you include a grey scale and a 
color scale in the photo (both are on one small card, along with a measurement 
scale).  If you do, any photo editing software can correct white balance by 
clicking on the white square and hitting "white balance."  You still should 
try to use the setting on the camera that is best for your light source, but 
sometimes different types of light are on the object and any setting used will 
not come out right.  Thank goodness for digital photography!
 
Marc



From: Kali Mason 
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 11:22 AM
To: [log in to unmask] 

Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Photographing large items



Hi,
 
I 
usually use a sheet. A white cotton sheet from Target (or a like store) is 
perfect. I’ve pinned it up on a wall to make a backdrop or draped it over a 
table etc. If you can get a standing lamp (even bring one from home) that works 
as a good light source. I usually just use a 12 inch ruler for scale. I also try 
to include the object number in the photo, that way I can go through the photos 
and number them at a later time. You can use a photo log as 
well.
If 
the object is obviously big (like a piano) I wouldn’t worry about scale. Also if 
it’s too big to move don’t worry about a backdrop, as it sounds like you are 
just photographing for a database. 
 
Kali
 


From: Museum discussion 
list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marc A 
Williams
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2015 9:39 AM
To: 
[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Photographing 
large items
 

Christian,

 

The answer to your question starts 
with a question to you.  What is the purpose of the photography?  If 
it is simply to have a record of the object, use a digital SLR with mounted 
flash.  Take the photo at the best angle you can that minimizes 
reflection.  Don't worry about a backdrop.  If it is for something 
that you might use informally and perhaps be used on your web site, you can 
purchase small studio flash units with two flash units and two umbrellas for a 
few hundred dollars.  These will allow you to get more even lighting (one 
left, one right) on larger objects and reduce much of the reflection.  
Again, don't worry about backdrops for larger items.  If it is for 
publication and a backdrop really matters, hire a professional, as Tim 
suggested.  You want to have a color scale and grey scale, as well as a 
measuring scale in the photo.  These are easily available from any photo 
supplier.  You can simply lean them next to the object or glue one to a 
block of wood that can stand on any convenient surface.  For larger 
objects, I have even placed it on the object itself in a location that does not 
obscure part of the object.

 

Marc


American Conservation 
Consortium, Ltd.
     4 Rockville 
Road
     Broad Brook, CT 
06016
     www.conservator.com 

     860-386-6058 

 

Marc A. Williams, 
President
     MS in Art Conservation, Winterthur Museum 
Program
     Former Chief Wooden Objects Conservator, 
Smithsonian Institution
     Fellow, American Institute 
for Conservation (AIC)

 

From: christian 



Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 
2015 6:48 PM

To: [log in to unmask] 


Subject: [MUSEUM-L] 
Photographing large items

 
Hello everyone,

I'm interning at a small museum & 
will be re-photographing all of the artifacts in the museum's collection. Some 
of these items are very large, heavy, and/or semi-permanently affixed to the 
walls. What is the best method to photograph these items in their current 
locations? The gallery where they are on display is dimly lit though additional 
lighting will not be a problem. I'm mostly concerned with an appropriate 
backdrop & the ability to include a scale.

Christian 
Roesler
Archaeology/Museum Studies graduate student
University of 
Memphis

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