Photography is a means of capturing everything around us. Most people, especially in modern times, own one or more DSLR or compact cameras, as well as a built-in camera on their mobile phones. Photography is now an integral part of everyday life, especially for young people who record, display and communicate their activities through it. However, taking the right photos is not accidental. Both theoretical knowledge and targeted practical training are required. Especially when a conservator is invited to photograph cultural heritage objects. In this case, the photography is governed by very specific rules that must be followed so that the result is even and faithfully renders the object. For this reason, students must first acquire basic photography knowledge and then specialize in taking photographs in the field of conservation.
The course is a synthesis (composition), so during the lectures on the one hand the theory is taught and on the other hand practical application with examples and exercises for students are carried out.
Regarding Theoretical Teaching:
1. Historical background (how it started, how it evolved and where the photo is now)
2. Human vision (principle of operation), Comparison of human eye – camera. The color in the photo. Color Systems.
3. Basic Types of Cameras. Tripods, mounts and support accessories.
4. Films and sensors. Analog / digital photography.
5. Use of analog and digital cameras.
6. Basic concepts and theory: Aperture, Speed, Sensitivity (ISO).
7. White balance in digital photography. Filters. Bracketing. Metric and color Scales. Background.
8. Lenses. Lens classification (wide angle, normal, telephoto, zoom lenses). Properties of photographic lenses. Focal length, depth of field, factors on which it depends.
9. Light measuring instruments (photometer, Kelvinometer, flash meter) and photometry methods. Histogram.
10. Lighting, natural light with its color alternations, artificial light with its different color sources, quality characteristics and applications, color temperature, reflectors, hard and soft lighting and combinations.
11. Applications of Photography in Conservation 1: Specialized photography for application in the field of Cultural Heritage and the Preservation of Antiquities and Works of Art (symmetrical / tangential / perimeter / transmitting lighting)
12. Applications of Photography in Conservation 2: Specialized photography for application in the field of Cultural Heritage and the Preservation of Antiquities and Works of Art (photography of three-dimensional and two-dimensional objects, architectural themes, interiors)
13. Applications of Photography in Conservation 3: Specialized photography for application in the field of Cultural Heritage and the Preservation of Antiquities and Works of Art (Application of photography methodologies and procedures for the purposes of capturing objects and monuments, photogrammetry, macro photography, etc.)
Depending on the content of each lecture, these will be accompanied by a practical exercise of what was taught in the theoretical part. In terms of practical application:
1. Scales and importance of their use
2. Familiarity with cameras (analog and digital)
3. Depth of field and speed
4. Sensitivity (ISO)
5. Basic photography equipment
6. Histogram
7. Lighting and photography
8. Reflection, diffusion effects and filters
9. Photographing cultural heritage objects indoors
10. Photographing cultural heritage objects outdoors
11. Specialized techniques for photographing works of art (symmetrical / tangential / perimeter / transmitting lighting, etc.)
12. Specialized techniques of photography of works of art (photography of three-dimensional and two-dimensional objects, architectural subjects, interiors)
13. Specialized techniques for photographing works of art (Application of photography methodologies and procedures for the purposes of capturing objects and monuments, photogrammetry, macrophotography, etc.)
Expected learning outcomes:
After the course the students should be able to:
• use the basic principles of photography to control the parameters and captures of images and by extension evaluate the results
• Understand concepts such as lens focal length, depth of field, sensitivity, white balance function, metering, etc
• Understand the specifics of cameras, lenses and filters
• Distinguish between different lighting sources (natural – artificial lighting, color temperature, visual behavior of materials) and have the ability to photograph using different types of lighting sources
• Identify and choose the appropriate technical parameters for photographing objects before, during and after conservation
• Photograph 2D and 3D objects, architectural subjects and interiors in a technically sound manner
• Know ways to take photos of objects and monuments for use in photogrammetric methods. Link to the 3rd semester course “Analog and Digital Imaging Techniques”
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Language of evaluation: Greek
Students assessment:
-Written exam (50%): students should be able to answer theory questions taught during the semester as well as open-ended questions related to photography of cultural heritage objects.
-Preparation of laboratory assignments (50%): the lab practices carried out during the courses will be evaluated by assignments. Each task is individual and graded separately.
The sum of the grades of the written examination and the average of the assignments constitute the final grade for the course (100%).
ATTACHED BIBLIOGRAPHY
‒ Εισαγωγή στη Φωτογραφία, Πλέθρον, 2008
‒ R. Jacobson R. and Ray S., The Manual of Photography, Εκδ. Focal Press, 1991.
‒ Anderson Feisner E., Color, How to use color in art and design, Laurence King Publishing, 2006
‒ Lister M., The photographic image in digital culture, Routledge, London & New York 1995
‒ Johnson S., Digital Photography, Εκδ. O’Reilly Media, Inc. 2006
‒ The AIC Guide to digital photography and conservation documentation, 2011
‒ Warda J. (editor), Frey F., Heller D., Kushel D., Vitale T., Weaver G., The AIC Guide to Digital Photography and Conservation Documentation, American Institute for Conservation, New York 2011.
‒ Αλεξοπούλου-Αγοράνου Α., Χρυσουλάκης Γ., Θετικές Επιστήμες και Έργα Τέχνης, Εκδόσεις Γκόνη, Αθήνα 1993.
‒ Κατερτζιάδης Π., Βασικά Μαθήματα Φωτογραφίας, ΦΩΤΟ, Αθήνα 2008.
‒ Βακρινός Δ., Ψηφιακή Φωτογραφία, Όλα όσα πρέπει να γνωρίζετε, Nexus Publications, Αθήνα 2018.
‒ Σχίζας Τ., Η Τεχνική της Αναλογικής και της Ψηφιακής Φωτογραφίας, Φωτογραφικό Είδωλο, 7η Ψηφιακή Έκδοση, 2015.
‒ Λυκάκης Μ., Ψηφιακή Φωτογραφία Photoshop – Lightroom, Ιδιωτικό Ινστιτούτο Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης Ακαδημία Δημιουργικής Φωτογραφίας ΕΠΕ
Related scientific journals:
‒ Journal of Cultural Heritage
‒ Journal of Archaeological Science
‒ Digital Heritage
‒ e-Conservation Journal
‒ e-Preservation Science
‒ International Journal of Conservation Science