Foundations of Documentary Photography

Photographing is one of the most important means used by the conservator to document any archaeological work that is being restored, documentary photography is used for the following purposes:.Recording the damage before restoration and clarifying the restoration work carried out after the restoration..Protect the restorer from any accusation of damage in the absence of the purpose to be restored in custody..Protect the purpose to be repaired from any damage may increase it.Preserve the right of the Foundation to retain its property.

Steps we should follow for Documentary photography

. Arrange the staff around the item to be documented and isolate any area that can be confusing.
. Arrange the cadre geometrically using vertical and horizontal coordinate lines and avoid italics or curved lines.

horizontal line

. Avoid the tyranny of chromatic masses in the case of imaging blocks formative.
. Use neutral background either white or black or gray to separate the element and avoid double colors.
. Taking into account the rules of balance in the cadre, whether a single mass or a mass formation.

neutral background

. Identify the centers of interest in the component and focus on them:
• Photography of the entire page all the details within the cadre should be clearly seen .
• In the case of the manuscript pages should be photocopied page by page.
• Focus on the elements within the page (places of various deterioration, seals, frames, gilding, ornamentation, signatures) and all that the restorer see is important for the purpose of documentation.
• Photography of important elements in the manuscript or book as cover,headband, and all what the restorer see is important for the purpose of documentation.



. It is preferable to use the Normal or Tele lens in normal authentication cases and the Macro lens in the case of accurate, detailed documentation (when using the Macro lens prefer to use less focal distance of the lens Minimal Focal Distance).

places of  deterioration

. It is preferable to use the lens slot F-1.4 or F-2.8 and shutter speed between 250/1-160/1 and preferably ISO-400.
. It is preferable not to use the flash in photography, unless necessary, but not exceeding 16/1.
. If the element is photographed in its environment, attention should be paid to placing the element and preferably using the aerial perspective.

©Dalia Ali