Thanks Tehmina, it's very interesting to know, obviously we all are capturing different types of object so this would have bearing on it. I can see the advantages of a book scanner from the point of view of page ordering, this alone must make it compelling to use. We are concerned with works of art here at the GAC so shooting using digital cameras makes sense for us. Point taken on metadata.
Tony
-----Original Message-----
From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tehmina Goskar
Sent: 22 March 2011 16:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Digital masters for the archive
Tony,
No, I didn't mean it in that sense. I was using scan as a short-hand for the
example I was giving. I now shoot all my photographs in RAW for the reasons
you mention--it acts as a digital negative that you can return to time and
again. Although RAW files are just as unwieldy as TIFFs when it comes to
storage.
In fact I asked the technical guy training us with the book scanner about
whether it captured in RAW as it did (seem to) use a CCD or similar but this
was not the case.
I have also heard arguments for using digital camera capture even for '2D'
items. The main limitation here is the physical set up to allow for decent
even lighting, etc.so cost wise (if it must come down to that) the economics
of scanning using a book scanner were favourable, coupled with the
integrated software that could, for example, compile separate images into an
'order' which could then be integrated as a single digital archive object
(e.g. an account book).
To me the distinction I was trying to make was not in the method of image
capture but in the process. You can use digital camera capture, flat bed
scanner or book scanner to create a digital equivalent but in my view
digitisation takes it a step further with proper description of the original
as part of its metadata and digital asset record (particularly if the
process is being conducted for eventual dissemination online or through
other electronic medium).
Hope that makes sense,
Tehmina
On 22 March 2011 16:24, HARRIS TONY <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Tehmina, I'm interested your usage of the word 'scan' and 'digitisation',
> because to me 'scan' means flatbed/negative scanning. Am I wrong in reading
> here that digital camera capture is not something that is on the radar of
> the MCG? I'm just interested to know as I think I'm the only person here
> today that has mentioned RAW image files.
>
> If we are talking about scanning a large amount of film based photographic
> material it is worth considering using a digital camera and a copystand as
> some institutions I know of have found this route to be far quicker than
> using a flatbed scanner.
>
> Tony
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Museums Computer Group [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Tehmina Goskar
> Sent: 22 March 2011 15:55
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Digital masters for the archive
>
> Thank you all for your replies.
>
> Scale definitely matters and it is useful to see those costs compared. The
> institutional infrastructure here is not infinite so making a pragmatic
> decision will be essential regardless of perceived ideals.
>
> Yes, the answer to the question about is it worth digitising to
> 'preservation' quality is an emphatic yes. I would never advocate the
> redoubling of effort of something that is so time consuming. Many of these
> items will be direct surrogates for the archives themselves and from a
> researcher's point of view these need to be as true to the original as
> possible. Ink on paper will not last as long as parchment. And at the
> moment
> reproduction from TIFFs provides the truest print surrogate although I take
> on all points on lossless compression in JPEG 2000s.
>
> Through experience and observation the number of organisations who scan (I
> only really like to use the term digitise if there is a descriptive element
> to the process) the same item over and over suggests even ad hoc
> digitisation benefits from following certain forms of best practice to
> order
> to further economise the process.
>
> I will be interested to read the Digital Preservation Coalition report.
>
> Thanks again,
> Tehmina
>
>
> On 22 March 2011 15:10, David Croft <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> > Are there any advantages to JPEG2000 over something more widespread like
> > PNG?
> >
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>
>
>
> --
> Dr Tehmina Goskar, MA AMA
> [log in to unmask]
>
> http://tehmina.goskar.com/
>
> Research Officer: ESRC Global and Local Worlds of Welsh Copper
> History & Classics
> Prifysgol Abertawe / Swansea University
>
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--
Dr Tehmina Goskar, MA AMA
[log in to unmask]
http://tehmina.goskar.com/
Research Officer: ESRC Global and Local Worlds of Welsh Copper
History & Classics
Prifysgol Abertawe / Swansea University
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