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Photographs: Preservation and Digitization
Presented by Lori HostuttlerWVAM 2010
Benefits of Digitization
• Helps preserve originals– Not full surrogates– Management of digital data – will it last?
• Increases access to images– Can lead to increased use of originals
• Can provide outreach and fundraising possibilities
Basic Photograph Preservation
• Take a holistic approach• Focus on environmental controls, handling,
and storage• Avoid the need for conservation or repair
Temperature and Humidity
• Crucial to preservation– Rate of degradation doubles with every 10 degree
temperature increase– High humidity provides moisture that leads to
fading and discoloration.– High temp and high humidity enables mold
growth and insects– Low humidity can cause embrittlement and
curling
Temperature and Humidity
• Consistency is the key• Temperature 65 - 70° F• Humidity 30% - 50%• Lower is better• Avoid attics and basements
Light
• Causes embrittlement, yellowing and fading• Cumulative and irreversible• Direct sunlight the worst• Use reproductions for display• Be aware of light sources if hanging originals• UV absorbing sleeves available for fluorescent
lights or use low UV bulbs
Handling and Storage
• Wear gloves – don’t touch emulsion side• Enclosures– Archival Quality Paper
• Protects from light, but increases handling for viewing– Plastic
• Polyester, Polypropylene, Polyethylene• Can trap moisture – do not enclose all four sides
• Boxes and Folders– Acid Free– Horizontal or Vertical
Resources
• Society of American Archivists– http://www.archivists.org– Photographs: Archival Care and Management
by Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, Diane Vogt-O’Conner, et al
• Northeast Document Conservation Center– http://www.nedcc.org
Arrangement and Description
• Organizing your photos– Provenance– Subject
• Metadata– Descriptive information, “data about data”– Dublin Core Metadata Element set• A standard for digital information • 15 elements or fields – you don’t have to use them all
and you can repeat an element if necessary
Dublin Core Elements
• Title• Date• Creator• Description• Subject• Source• Format• Identifier• Rights
• Contributor• Coverage• Language• Publisher• Relation• Type
http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/
Considerations
• Will digitization harm the original?• Is there a commitment to keeping up with
storage and file standards? Migration?• Copyright questions• Access and Use policies
Hardware
• Computer Specifications– RAM (2 to 4 Gigabytes)– Processor Speed ( 1.5 Ghz minimum)– Hard Drive Size (200 – 500 Gigabytes)http://reviews.cnet.com/desktop-computer-buying-
guide/• Scanner– Epson (my personal fav)– Make sure has the capability to do high resolution
scans
Software
• Scanning utility will come with scanner• Photo editing software may also accompany
scanner program• Adobe Photoshop is the best, but expensive• Irfan View – very functional and FREE
http://www.irfanview.com/ • GIMP, Picasa, Photoscape• http://www.cnet.com for hardware/software
information, reviews, downloads
Storage of Digital Files
• Computer Hard Drive• External Hard Drive• CDs / DVDs– Use a Sharpie CD/DVD markers
• Redundant Storage – storing data in more than one place is a very good idea
• Migration to the latest technology
Scanning Specifications
• File Types– Master files: .tif
• Keep a master file that can be edited as needed– User files: .jpeg– Text files: .pdf (FYI)
• Color or Grayscale– 8 bit grayscale
• Smaller file size– 24 bit color
• Larger file size but will retain any sepia in b&w photos
Scanning Specifications
• Resolution– For master files at least 300 dpi (dots per inch),
which is publication quality, but higher is better– Higher dpi will mean bigger file size and more
storage needs• File Naming Schemas– Use an alpha numeric combination that is logical
for your project or collection: cm0001, cm0002– Connect original to scan by writing number on
back in pencil
Scanning Demo
Scanner Interface
Preview
Preview in Color
Preview in Grayscale
Select Scanning Area
Adjust Specifications and Scan
Image in IrfanView - Rotate
Options for Online Display
• Content Management Systems– CONTENTdm (proprietary), dlxs, Dspace and
Greenstone (open source)
• Online sites– Flikr, Picasa, MyPhotoAlbum
• Web site
Thanks!
• Questions?
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