I know you are trying so save the list from extra mail, but I'd like to
know the responses to your inquire on using digital images for
registration. I have an interest in the subject.
The issue of using digital images to record before & after treatment
images in conservation will someday be addressed seriously. Knowing how
registrars see the issue is important to conservators.
I think that digital imaging will some day replace photography in
conservation. Finding good B&W processing is harder and harder these
days. I was talking with digital camera manufacturers at Macworld a few
weeks ago. It was believed that advances in CCD technology will bring
reasonably priced digital cameras capable of scanner quality images to
the public within 12-18 months. That is, 4000 X 6000 images from a
$1-2000 camera. Polaroid has a $1500 is producing (approximately) 1500
X 2500 pixel images today. This is very good, but not quite good enough
for conservation's purposes.
Timothy Vitale
Paper and Photography Conservator
& Preservation Consultant