Advanced Imaging Skills for Humanities Collections Professionals

FAIN: PE-233853-16

Cultural Heritage Imaging (San Francisco, CA 94102-5867)
Carla Schroer (Project Director: May 2015 to May 2018)

Early to mid-career training in two innovative computational photography techniques: Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) and 3-D photogrammetry, for staff responsible for the care of humanities collections. A total of seven four-day, hands-on classes would be held at six locations across the country with over 100 humanities professionals being trained in the advanced imaging methods and associated software use; a significant number of seats would be reserved for staff from smaller institutions. Finally, a two-day symposium for 85 conservators and humanities collections professionals would be held to share successful use cases of the imaging techniques and introduce methodology updates and new software tools.

This 2-year project will provide training for at least 100 humanities collections professionals in computational photography technologies Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) and 3D photogrammetry. It will also disseminate recent advances to the rapidly growing community of humanities users through a symposium and new and updated user guides and software. A collaboration between Cultural Heritage Imaging (CHI) and numerous host institutions and partners across the United States, the project delivers a series of seven 4-day hands-on classes that will train collections professionals in advanced imaging methods and software. In addition, The Metropolitan Museum of Art will host a 2-day symposium for collections professionals to learn about the latest tools and research. The project has the potential to revolutionize documentation, treatment, and research of humanities collections, while also promoting the integration of interactive imaging into the collection visitor's experience.