2D Digitization: Preserving Historic Media for Tomorrow

2D Digitization: Preserving Historic Media for Tomorrow

This virtual session is led by Rachel Whitaker, Research Specialist, and Bo Williams, Photographer, both at Shiloh Museum of Ozark History. Bo Williams brings to the project a background in photography, digital image capture and processing as well as an artist's eye for detail. Additionally, he works with alternative photographic methods, including darkroom processes. Rachel brings to the project a background in library science and historical and historical and museum education, as well as some skills in coding and computer technology which is beneficial to the creation of metadata.

This session will explore and present alternative methods for capture of 2D items in collections for digitization with a focus on photographic materials. The methods that will be outlined will be centered around the use of a copy stand in conjunction with a high-resolution camera for capturing a variety of formats and various degrees of degradation and fragility. The workflow from printed media to final digital archival preservation will be explored through a discussion on image capture, processing, metadata creation and digital asset management systems.

Participants will be able to benefit from the presenters' exploration of the variety of technologies, systems and methods available on the market and can make decisions for their purposes without unnecessary research. Additionally, presenters will offer examples of their practiced workflow, including videos demonstrating their processes.