Language selection

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada

Search

Artifacts — Clothing Samples

Type of artifact:

Examples:

  • Costume
  • Clothing
  • Other

Mandatory

  1. Black or neutral grey background
  2. Artifact catalogue number
  3. Colour or white-grey-black scale
  4. Artifact placed straight
  5. Ensure that the catalogue number and scale can be excluded if necessary.

Procedures

Item Laid Flat:

  • Shoot the object from above, stabilizing the camera on a solid structure, such as scaffolding or tripod.
  • To avoid distortion of the object, the back of the digital camera must be level and precisely parallel (180˚ angle) to the artifact.
  • A back view is required.
Colour photo of animal skin coat or jacket with hood and fringed decoration, with catalogue number IV-C-2899 on a grey background.
Item Laid Flat
CD2005-0900-D2005-1078

Item on Mannequin:

  • Place the artifact on a mannequin. To avoid distortion of the object, the back of the camera must be level and precisely parallel (180˚ angle) to the artifact.
  • For views of clothing details, since framing of the image is restricted, inclusion of a colour scale is not required.
  • Use a digital camera capable of capturing a minimum of 3,000 pixels for the longest measurement (8 x 10, 300 ppi), in either RAW or TIFF.
  • Use a regular lens.
Colour photo of pointed red hat with decorative detailing situated on mannequin head, with catalogue number III-E-28 on a grey background.
Item on head
CD2004-1828-D2004-23812
Colour photo of pink and purple traditional dress with long sleeves and vest, situated on mannequin, with catalogue number 2001.143.1.0 on a grey background.
Item on mannequin
CD-2005-0434-D2005-08399

Recommendations

In the Studio

  • At the beginning of each session with new lighting, adjust the camera’s white balance and for reference purposes, photograph a Kodak Q-14 colour scale.
  • Import the image into image-processing software (e.g., Photoshop) and adjust the “levels” on the colour scale with the points of reference as indicated in the general guidelines.
  • Save the data in ALV format, since this information will apply to all photos taken during the same photography session.

Taking the Picture

  • Place the colour scale (showing measurements) at the foot of the artifact. Save space on the lower right to record the artifact’s catalogue number.
  • Photograph twice with the scale: one front view and one back view and, if necessary, once or twice for details.

At the Computer — Image-Processing Software

  • Apply the ALV information to all images within the same studio session.
  • Works well for batch digitization and improves productivity, but does not offer optimal rendering of individual images.
  • Type the artifact’s catalogue number in the lower right — in white if the background is black, and in black if the background is neutral grey (font: Arial, 40 pts.).
  • Flatten the image (i.e., flatten layers).
  • Convert in Adobe RGB 1998 profile, 8 bits per channel (total 24 bits).
  • Save the image as an uncompressed TIFF, named to standards established by the Corporation’s Photo Archives.
  • Produce a JPEG version as described in the general guidelines.

Contact information for this web page

This resource was published by the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN). For comments or questions regarding this content, please contact CHIN directly. To find other online resources for museum professionals, visit the CHIN homepage or the Museology and conservation topic page on Canada.ca.

Page details

Date modified: