Difference between revisions of "Digital Imaging"
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# public dissemination | # public dissemination | ||
== Workflows and guides== | == Workflows and guides== | ||
| − | Explicit workflows are helpful, particularly for new imaging technicians who might not understand best practices working with spirit stored collections and/or little experience with imaging. Workflows are intended to help all technicians work with quality, efficiency, and with best practices for specimen handling. iDigBio DROID3 working group (Developing_Robust Object to Image to Data) has developed detailed workflows that can be used to help start or improve an existing wet specimen digital imaging project. Initial task list modules developed by this group | + | Explicit workflows are helpful, particularly for new imaging technicians who might not understand best practices working with spirit stored collections and/or little experience with imaging. Workflows are intended to help all technicians work with quality, efficiency, and with best practices for specimen handling. iDigBio DROID3 working group (Developing_Robust Object to Image to Data)[[iDigBio DROID3 working group (Developing_Robust Object to Image to Data)|2]] has developed detailed workflows that can be used to help start or improve an existing wet specimen digital imaging project. Initial task list modules have been developed by this group[http://www.idigbio.org/content/workflow-modules-and-task-lists [3]] and are currently being revised. Additional guides to image capture and editing of fish specimens are available 4,5. It should be noted that equipment suggestions change rapidly. |
== Equipment == | == Equipment == | ||
There is an wide range of photographic equipment available. Gear, particularly camera bodies, change rapidly. iDigBio has assembled a guide with equipment reccomendations2. | There is an wide range of photographic equipment available. Gear, particularly camera bodies, change rapidly. iDigBio has assembled a guide with equipment reccomendations2. | ||
==Immersion tanks== | ==Immersion tanks== | ||
Wet specimens are best photographed when immersed in fluid. This serves a dual purpose preventing specimen drying as well as reducing glare on the specimen’s surface that might obscure surface detail. Both horizontal and vertical immersion tanks are used to hold wet specimens for imaging. | Wet specimens are best photographed when immersed in fluid. This serves a dual purpose preventing specimen drying as well as reducing glare on the specimen’s surface that might obscure surface detail. Both horizontal and vertical immersion tanks are used to hold wet specimens for imaging. | ||
| − | =Vertical tank= Vertical tanks resemble typical aquarium tanks but are generally narrow and tall. A plate of glass within the tank is used to gently press and sandwich the specimen against the front glass pane of the aquarium. Vertical tanks require some camera mount in front of the tank, such as a tripod. Benefits of | + | =Vertical tank= Vertical tanks resemble typical aquarium tanks but are generally narrow and tall. A plate of glass within the tank is used to gently press and sandwich the specimen against the front glass pane of the aquarium. Vertical tanks require some camera mount in front of the tank, such as a tripod. Benefits of vertical tanks are cleaner backgrounds, setup mobility, and lighting flexibility. They are well suited for in-collection and field use. |
Horizontal tank: Horizontal tanks can be useful for specimens that need extensive and delicate manipulations and posing, like uncurling or pinning. Sheet glass is sometimes place on curled fish specimens to hold them posed. Horizontal tanks are usually used in combination with a copy stand. An example can be found on the MCZ Ichthyology website4. | Horizontal tank: Horizontal tanks can be useful for specimens that need extensive and delicate manipulations and posing, like uncurling or pinning. Sheet glass is sometimes place on curled fish specimens to hold them posed. Horizontal tanks are usually used in combination with a copy stand. An example can be found on the MCZ Ichthyology website4. | ||
Light Box: Light boxes are available that produce continuous even lighting5. They are commonly used for imaging dry and wet specimens. | Light Box: Light boxes are available that produce continuous even lighting5. They are commonly used for imaging dry and wet specimens. | ||
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
1 [https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/images/7/7a/Sullivan-Value_of_Imaging-Ichthyology.pdf Sullivan, J. P. 2016. The Value of Imaging Specimens in Ichthyology. iDigBio Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Berkeley, CA, April 4 - 6, 2016] | 1 [https://www.idigbio.org/wiki/images/7/7a/Sullivan-Value_of_Imaging-Ichthyology.pdf Sullivan, J. P. 2016. The Value of Imaging Specimens in Ichthyology. iDigBio Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Berkeley, CA, April 4 - 6, 2016] | ||
| − | 2 www.idigbio.org/content/workflow-modules-and-task-lists | + | 2 |
| + | 3. www.idigbio.org/content/workflow-modules-and-task-lists | ||
3. http://silurus.ansp.org/ACSI/corresp/digital_imaging_tips.html | 3. http://silurus.ansp.org/ACSI/corresp/digital_imaging_tips.html | ||
4. | 4. | ||
Revision as of 22:17, 23 June 2017
Contents
About
These links and documents contain information about best practices for digital imaging of spirit stored specimens.
Introduction
2D specimen imaging is a valuable addition to augment specimen records. Spirit specimens face some unique imaging challenges because of their wet storage. Use and further development of these best practices is intended to improve quality and efficiency of spirit collection digital imaging.
Value of digital imaging in spirit collections
Quality digital images have a number of values 1 including (but not limited to):
- improved discovery of specimens
- improved access to collection material
- potential research material
- public dissemination
Workflows and guides
Explicit workflows are helpful, particularly for new imaging technicians who might not understand best practices working with spirit stored collections and/or little experience with imaging. Workflows are intended to help all technicians work with quality, efficiency, and with best practices for specimen handling. iDigBio DROID3 working group (Developing_Robust Object to Image to Data)2 has developed detailed workflows that can be used to help start or improve an existing wet specimen digital imaging project. Initial task list modules have been developed by this group[3] and are currently being revised. Additional guides to image capture and editing of fish specimens are available 4,5. It should be noted that equipment suggestions change rapidly.
Equipment
There is an wide range of photographic equipment available. Gear, particularly camera bodies, change rapidly. iDigBio has assembled a guide with equipment reccomendations2.
Immersion tanks
Wet specimens are best photographed when immersed in fluid. This serves a dual purpose preventing specimen drying as well as reducing glare on the specimen’s surface that might obscure surface detail. Both horizontal and vertical immersion tanks are used to hold wet specimens for imaging. =Vertical tank= Vertical tanks resemble typical aquarium tanks but are generally narrow and tall. A plate of glass within the tank is used to gently press and sandwich the specimen against the front glass pane of the aquarium. Vertical tanks require some camera mount in front of the tank, such as a tripod. Benefits of vertical tanks are cleaner backgrounds, setup mobility, and lighting flexibility. They are well suited for in-collection and field use. Horizontal tank: Horizontal tanks can be useful for specimens that need extensive and delicate manipulations and posing, like uncurling or pinning. Sheet glass is sometimes place on curled fish specimens to hold them posed. Horizontal tanks are usually used in combination with a copy stand. An example can be found on the MCZ Ichthyology website4. Light Box: Light boxes are available that produce continuous even lighting5. They are commonly used for imaging dry and wet specimens.
Contributors
Andrew D. Williston
Source Material
Links
1 Sullivan, J. P. 2016. The Value of Imaging Specimens in Ichthyology. iDigBio Vertebrate Digitization Workshop, Berkeley, CA, April 4 - 6, 2016 2 3. www.idigbio.org/content/workflow-modules-and-task-lists 3. http://silurus.ansp.org/ACSI/corresp/digital_imaging_tips.html 4.
