Navigating the Digitization of Photographic Research
Presented by: Emily Pugh and Tracy Stuber
Event: April 19, 2022, 9 AM PDT / 12 PM EDT / 4 PM GMT
Together, this paper presentation and workshop are designed to engage the scholars in an exploration of theoretical, methodological, and pragmatic concerns related to the use of digital imaging for studying photography and its histories. Through the paper presentation, scholars will be informed of some of the technical details related to digital image production, including how such images are made, how they are processed, catalogued and made accessible by libraries, archives and museums. Those participating in the workshop will learn practical tips and best practices for managing their own collections of images in an increasingly digitized research environment.
First, the 30-minute presentation "The Life of a Digital Image in Libraries, Archives, and Museums” will provide an overview for thinking about digital images intended for scholars with no prerequisite knowledge needed. Through the paper presentation, scholars will be informed of some of the technical details related to digital image production, including how such images are made, how they are processed, catalogued and made accessible by libraries, archives and museums.
Second, the 40-minute workshop "Too Many JPGs? Tips and Tricks for Managing Digital Image Research Collections” will provide a more detailed case study analysis. Those participating in the workshop will learn practical tips and best practices for managing their own collections of images in an increasingly digitized research environment.
Together, this paper presentation and workshop are designed to engage the scholars in an exploration of theoretical, methodological, and pragmatic concerns related to the use of digital imaging for studying photography and its histories.
Registration & Photography Network Membership is required for this event.
The Life of a Digital Image in Libraries, Archives, and Museums (Emily Pugh 30 minute Presentation + Q&A)
This presentation will offer insight into how the workflows and processes associated with digitization, particularly in the library, archive, and museum contexts, have direct and indirect influences on the digital images that result. In addition to providing details about digital imaging and its related infrastructures—how digital images are made, for example, the standards that guide their creation and post-processing, how they are catalogued and accessed—the presentation will reflect on the scholarly implications of the increasing reliance on digitization for art-historical practice. In particular, we will explore how digitization can both impede and facilitate the development of more inclusive histories of art that extend beyond the European and American contexts.
[5-minute break]
Too Many JPGs? Tips and Tricks for Managing Digital Image Research Collections (Tracy Stuber Workshop: 40 minutes)
Where is that file I wanted to use for tomorrow’s class lecture? And what is the date of this image I referenced in my draft? Spread across desktops, clouds, phones. and Powerpoints, research images can easily get away from us, even when they are central to our scholarly work. This workshop will walk participants through simple image management strategies devised with the particular needs of photography-based research in mind. Using examples from the GRI’s collection of Orientalist Photography, we will focus in particular on devising strategies for recording non-European perspectives and knowledge often absent in institutional data. Requiring little technical experience and only a good dose of diligence, these organizational tricks can streamline research, facilitate teaching and publication, and enable new, digitally-driven modes of examination. Participants will leave with a checklist for image data management and templates for organizing and applying their data.
Topics
Determining what image information matters for your research
Finding image information in digital repositories
Documenting specialized knowledge related to photographs
Organizing and storing image information using Google Forms and Google Sheets
Applying image information for digital image management
Takeaways
Checklist for image data management
Templates for Google Forms and Google Sheets
Participants will gain insight into how different digital image repositories (archives, museums, etc.) present photographs as data.
Participants will be able to set up simple spreadsheets to keep track of image information relevant to their research.
Requirements
No prior technical experience is necessary. Participants should have a Google Suite account with access to Google Sheets, Google Forms, and Google Drive.
This program is generously supported by the Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation.