Appropriate lighting is essential for the accurate documentation of our collection items. Light has a huge impact on colour rendition and exposure. Cameras will interpret and capture physical information according to the lighting situation. By organising an optimal lighting configuration, you will find that the quality of your images will improve and your collection will be better documented.
In the Victorian Collections CMS, image files generated through digitisation are uploaded to and documented via the Media section.
In a collection care context, 'digitisation' refers to the process of photographing or scanning collection items.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
This information is designed to be read following the Collection Digitisation - Project Planning information sheet, and in conjunction with the Collection Digitisation - Capturing Images and Collection Digitisation - Workflow information sheets.
As part of planning your digitisation project, you will have made decisions about what methods and equipment to be used based on the type of collection items you intend to digitise, reviewed your intended workflow and prepared your workspace accordingly.
BASIC LIGHTING SETUP
Whether you are photographing an item on a table or from above using a copy stand setup, your two lights need to be placed in a manner that produces even lighting. Adjust the height and tilt the head of your lights so that they direct light to the centre of the item
and position them as follows:
- At equal distance from either side of the item
- At a 45-degree angle
- Both at the same power setting
ENSURING ACCURATE COLOURS
All sources of light emit different colour temperatures. Warmer colour temperatures will appear slightly yellow and cooler colour temperatures will appear slightly blue. In order to avoid a colour cast and ensure that you capture the colour of the item in a neutral manner, it is important to work with white or daylight bulbs and to set the white balance on your camera to “Automatic” or “Flash”.
For each item you photograph, take an additional photograph with a colour target included. This photograph will be for internal purposes only and the colour target will serve as a reference during the editing process to help eliminate any colour cast.
ITEM-SPECIFIC DIGITISATION SETUPS
The nature of the item will dictate the most appropriate digitisation method and setup:
Documents, photographs, paper-based items:
- Camera
- Copy stand
- Basic lighting setup
Depending on the item you are digitising, another option is to use a scanner.
Small 3D items and artworks:
- Camera
- Tripod
- Table
- Neutral colour paper backdrop
- Basic lighting setup
Depending on the item you are digitising, another option is to use a light tent.
Large 3D items and artworks:
- Camera
- Tripod
- Neutral colour paper backdrop
- Basic lighting setup
TIPS
Large or fragile books:
If the book you are digitising is large or fragile, rather than risking damage by scanning it, photograph it using a copy stand set-up. If you do not have a copy stand, you can use your tripod to create a similar set up. Use supports for the book, and where necessary use snake weights to hold your pages down.
Textiles:
Use props such as mannequins or busts when photographing textiles and hats. If you do not have a mannequin, you can lay the textile on your prepared workspace, or if the textile is large, on clean backdrop paper on the floor.
Working without a lighting setup:
It is always preferential to use a lighting set-up however there may be instances where this is not possible. If you are working indoors but do not have a basic lighting set-up you will need to rely on natural light coming from a window. Do not use ceiling lights or the flash on your camera, as they will create shadows.
When using natural light from a single source like a window, you will need to bounce the light around the item by positioning a reflective surface so that it catches the light and reflects it into the shadows.
If you do not have a reflector, you could use white cardboard or styrofoam. You may need a second pair of hands to assist you with this while you are capturing the images with your camera! If you need to photograph an item located outdoors, choose an overcast day as the sunlight changes constantly and can create shadows.
MORE LIKE THIS
- Collection Digitisation - Project Planning
- Collection Digitisation - Workflow
- Collection Digitisation - Capturing Images
- Collection Digitisation - Post-production