Karen,

It all depends on the size of your photography space and also on the
sort of objects and artifacts and artworks that you may have a need to
photograph. If you have a staff photographer they usually have very
strong preferences. It also depends if you need reference photographs
for the files or if you need a more professional set-up for exhibition
catalogs and publications.

In general the larger and taller the object the larger the space - and
you can also multiply the backing material and it also effect the
amount of light coverage you'll need.

In my work as a conservator I do a huge range of photodocumentation
from microscope photography, to small objects, to sculptures, to
architecture.

I personally dislike hot lights because they are bulky, they suck
power and trip breakers, and they get hot enough to soften and weaken
adhesives in mended ceramics and objects if left on long enough.

In the past year I have been experiementing with a strobe / slave
system (the slave is a small device that attaches to the hot shoe of
the camera that allows you to active the strobe - thus making it a
cable free operation). I have found by experimenting with distance and
angle of the strobe head that I can create strong direct light or a
very diffuse soft light by just bouncing it off a nearby ceiling or a
white board. You can also buy a soft box that attaches to the front of
the strobe head that will effectively do the same thing. You have to
also experiment with exposure and white balance, etc. to get your
system tuned in. But I have had spectacular results. I also like the
strobe because I can use it either in the studio or take it with me
into the field. My specific unit requires a power cord but you can
also buy units that can be totally portable and fire on batteries.

I submitted a powerpoint on just this topic to the tips session of the
Objects Specialty Group of the AIC this past June.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California



On 8/17/06, Katherine McLeister <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Please reply on list.  We are interested in this too.
>
> Theatre Historical Society of America
> Elmhurst, IL
> www.historictheatres.org
>
>
> "O'Brien, Karen" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
> Hello Oh-wise-ones!
>
> My director has asked me to look into getting a set up to take photographs
> of our collections. We already have a copy stand we use for small items, but
> we need to put together a system for taking photographs of our ethnographic
> materials (clothing , paintings, baskets, moccasins, wood panels, etc.).
>
> What do you folks use in terms of lights and/or umbrellas for diffusing
> light, backgrounds, or anything else?
>
> Is there anything I should make sure I am aware of before purchasing
> equipment?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
>
> Best,
> Karen
>
> Karen O'Brien
> Collection Manager
> Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan
> 1109 Geddes Ave.
> Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079
> 734-764-6299
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