****************************************
* Peter Siegel                         *
* Supervising Collections Photographer *
* American Museum of Natural History   *
* Department Anthropology              *
* Central Park West @ 79 street        *
* New York NY 10024-5192 USA           *
* 1(212) 769-5665                      *
* Fax 212 769-5334                     *
* Email [log in to unmask]                  *
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On Thu, 19 Feb 1998, Leith, Adrienne wrote:

> Zdenka
> I agree with you that image capture is a highly useful tool when
> cataloguing objects.  However, unlike objects, plant and insect
> specimens are classified, i.e. genus and species and even subspecies.
> Therefore each specimen is already described with all characteristics
> fitting that classification, and therefore each such 'object' is easily
> recognisable.  A photograph of the same plant or insect will just be a
> repeat, and will not give any further distinguishing information.  Given
> the number of Botanical and Entomological specimens being accessioned, I
> would suggest that you only stipulate that they photograph type
> specimens, thus restricting the number of photographs quite
> dramatically.
> Adrienne Leith
>


The fact that zoological nd botanical specimens have a taxonomy is an
added benifet.
Visual representation of information is an invaluable resource for all
levels science.


>
> > ----------
> > From:         Zdenka Pospisilova[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> > Sent:         Thursday, 19 February 1998 12:11 PM
> > To:   [log in to unmask]
> > Subject:      Collection image databases
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > As I head of the Moravian Museum Documentation Centre I was asked to
> > write internal guidelines for cataloguing. Being convinced that image
> > of
> > the object should be a part of the catalogue I am forcing the curators
> > to photograph the objects. Two of our departments are objecting this -
> > botany and entomology - they say they are unable to shoot all the
> > objects that are coming to their collections, because its too
> > expensive
> > and impossible. The botany department aquires about 10.000 items per
> > year. Could anybody help me with his, hers experience in that field.
> >
> >
> > Thanks a lot.
> >
> > Krasimir Damjanov
> >
> > UNESCO International Summer School of Museology Brno
> > http://www.webmuseen.de/ISSOM
> >
> > or
> > mailto: [log in to unmask]
> > http://www.fi.muni.cz/mzm
> >
>