digitizingmillerhouseandgarden:
Scanning modern living
A few weeks ago, we shared some details about the process that we use in the IMA Archives to photograph oversize and 3D objects in the Miller House and Garden Collection. While it may seem like scanning archival material would be a simpler process, there are still a lot of steps, equipment, and computer programs that go into the creation of digital surrogates for Miller House documents and photographs (both reflective and transparent).
The top image above shows Sami's scanning station in the foreground, with Amy's desk behind it (the two stations are set up to mirror each other). Together, the images form a complete picture of the digitization process via scanning:
- A box is selected for digitization, and the materials are reviewed at the folder level to prepare the scanner settings
- Each item goes through a preliminary scan in SilverFast (this is the program that connects the scanner with the computer)
- A unique identifier is created for the item being scanned, and input into SilverFast (more about these identifiers to come!)
- The item is scanned to TIFF format, at either 300 dpi (documents) or 600 dpi (visual material)
- The scanned image is opened in Photoshop CS5.1 for editing
- The result is both a TIFF (preservation) and JPEG (access) copy of the item
Equipment:
- EPSON EXPRESSION 10000XL scanners (2)
- SilverFast scanner software
- Photoshop CS5.1 (component of Adobe Creative Suite)
- Photographic negative and positive holders (scanner accessories)
- Tiger Cloth (for periodic scanner cleaning)Architectural Forum Cover, September 1958. Box 36, Folder 397, Miller House and Garden Collection, IMA Archives, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana. (MHG_Id_B036_F397_001)
(work doppelganger!?)