Digital photography in archaeology

Ymddiriedolaeth Archaeolegol Clwyd-Powys
Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust www.cpat.org.uk
Photography in Field Archaeology
Viviana Culshaw
Courtesy of University of Pennsylvania
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
La Civita near Artena, Italy, 1967.
Archaeologists improvise!

Viviana Culshaw
Photo Documentation
A comprehensive and technical record of an investigation from
beginning to end.
An historical record of excavation, process of recovering artefacts,
sequences, units and profiles, survey finds.
Ethical responsibility of archaeologist to visually record an
irreversible process such as excavation or survey. Subsequent
analysis or re-analysis of your work in future.
Photo Illustration
To provide images for publication or presentation
What are you trying to communicate to the public or in the journal?

Viviana Culshaw
Archaeological Photography – Objectives
• Why?
• What ?
• How ?
• When ?
• Who ?

Viviana Culshaw
Only take the photographs you are absolutely need to.
Every photograph must be worth the time taken to
catalogue and archive it.

Viviana Culshaw
Technical language – Know your camera
• Time Value/Shutter Speed - Length of time the camera shutter
opens to expose the film/sensor to the light coming through the lens
• Exposure - total amount of light reaching the film/sensor
• Depth of field - the zone extending in front of and behind the
focussed distance within which points will appear to be sharp
• Angle of view - the amount of the scene in front of camera taken in
by the lens.

Viviana Culshaw
Are you confused?
Don’t worry

Viviana Culshaw
Equipment:
• Cards/laptop
• Batteries
• Filters
• Camera hood and waterproof case
• Scale (range pole and/or centimetre scales)
• Photographic form or notebook/register
• North arrow
• Tripod and remote cable release
• Flash/Supplementary Lighting
• Lens cleaning material
• Chalk board (think twice!)

Viviana Culshaw
General Principles of Archaeological Photography
• Technical Photograph descriptive and realistic
• Use a tripod and get your camera on the self-timer to minimise
camera shake
• Control the light
• Use an appropriate scale
• A scale should be in the same plane as the object
• Viewpoint is critical. Fill the frame. Use macro lenses/function for
small objects
• Record on proforma/notebook (Never Later)
• Save images to digital archive at highest resolution possible and
back up records

Viviana Culshaw
Preparation
• Always photograph as soon as possible!
• Make sure the area is clean
• Remove everything from the excavated area to be photographed
• Remove everything non-essential from the visible area of the
photograph
• Be aware of what and who is in the photograph
• Viewpoint is critical. Fill the frame. Use macro lenses/function for
small objects
• Try to convey a sense of context or environment
• Try to take an elevated photograph if possible

Viviana Culshaw
Light
 Avoid bright sunlight
 North-facing section (if you can!)
 Face the same direction for each photograph x2
 Remove everything non-essential from the visible area
of the photograph
X Side- or front-lit by sunglight
X Use flash (with exception)
© CPAT, 2015

Viviana Culshaw
Scale
• Scales should be metric
• Scales should be clean
• Horizontal scales aligned with the feature or at right-angles
• Vertical scales must appear to
be vertical in the photograph
© CPAT,2013

Viviana Culshaw
A set of Round or Flat Red & White Scales
marked off in100mm sections in the following
sizes: 500mm, 400mm,300mm & 200mm.
A set of Black & White 10mmwidth scales
marked off in alternate 10mm black & white
squares in the following sizes:
250mm,200mm,150mm,& 50mm.
A set of Black & White North
Directional Arrows
© BAJR, 2006

Viviana Culshaw
© CPAT,2013

Viviana Culshaw
People
• Take working shots every day
• Watch the flash!
• If it is too dark adjust the aperture and/or ISO settings.
• Make sure appropriate PPE is worn correctly by everyone
Remember:
Smiling faces are better than
soggy bottoms.
© CPAT, 2014

Viviana Culshaw
Looking after your camera:
• Dirt, water, dust, sun can damage cameras
• Use bag or waterproof case (e.g. Pelican) for rainy days
• Lens tissue for clearer picture. Check the lens!
• filters will help protect the lens
• Do not over tighten the tripod screw
• Batteries may leak if for a long time in the camera

Viviana Culshaw
Close-up and finds shots
Most digital cameras can take amazing close-up shots and
details, however you must tell your camera what you are doing or
it will end up with out of focus shots.
© BAJR, 2006

Viviana Culshaw
• To prepare your camera you must enable Macro mode
• Get close to the subject and photograph it
• Take at least two photographs, one with and one without a
centimetre/millimeter scale
• Keep the background neutral
• Ensure an even light
Close-up and finds shots
© BAJR, 2006

Viviana Culshaw
Bajr (2006). Short Guide to Digital Photography in Archaeology.
Online: http://www.bajr.org/documents/digitalphotography.pdf
Conlon, V M Camera Techniques in Archaeology.
Dorrell, P. 'Photography in Archaeology and Conservation' (2nd
edition, Cambridge University Press, 1994).
Grey,Tim Color Confidence: The Digital Photographer's Guide to
ColorManagement.
Harp, Elmer Photography in archaeological research.
Howell, Carol L. A Practical Guide to Archaeological Photography
(Archaeological Research Tools)
Simmons, Harold C. Archaeological Photography.

Digital photography in archaeology

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (6)

Plus de The Sandstone Ridge Trust Ltd

Plus de The Sandstone Ridge Trust Ltd (11)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

Digital photography in archaeology