Description
Research practices in cultural history have changed profoundly over the past decades, especially for researchers focusing on material and visual culture. The internet, digital databases, catalogues, and publications, combined with a wide array of hard- and software allow researchers to research, collect, exchange, and analyse enormous volumes of high-quality, heterogenous data. This offers wonderful new opportunities but also poses a threat, especially for researchers at the start of their career. Which hard- and software should you choose to collect and organize your research data, both digital and analogue/material? What are the (developing) standards in the field? We offer two one-day workshops for students, researchers, and GLAM professionals who want to critically think about or rethink their own archiving practices.
The morning session of the workshop focusses on Photography for Research. It’s an introduction to the possibilities and limitations of various cameras and software, photography for (digital) publication, IIIF, basic training in museum, archival, and performative research photography.
The afternoon session of the workshop is devoted to Sustainable Research Archiving, such as secure and sustainable storage of digital research data, and the possibilities and limitations of various hard- and software, plus cloud storage solutions.
Preparation:
- Bring whatever camera you currently use to the workshop (this can be anything from a pinhole camera or smartphone to a DSLR or medium format camera);
- Bring an object (or objects) that you often document for research (or would like to). In case your object is not transportable because it is, for instance, a museum piece, bring something with a surface resembling it. In case your subject moves (humans and other animals) think of specific scenario’s relevant to your research practice.
- Collect and make a list of the materials and resources you normally use to collect and archive your research. These can include, but are not limited to: laptop, favourite software, camera, notebook(s), online archives and repositories, library cards, et cetera.
- If you are not yet familiar with the following software, take some time to check it out: Trophy, EndNote, Zotero. You do not have to download any of these if you do not want to; you can also check out online reviews. The aim is to get an idea of what each can and cannot do.
- If you do not yet have a Zotero account, create one here: https://www.zotero.org/user/register/
- Once you have registered, request permission to join: https://www.zotero.org/groups/4577065/huizinga_sra
Program
9:30 Welcome, introduction
9:45 Documenting your object (Exercise in small groups)
10:15 plenary discussion
10:45 Break
11:00 Taking a photo:
- aperture
- shutter speed
- ISO
- Lenses
- Color card
12:30 Lunch
13:30 Structuring the (digital) archive
15:00 Documenting your object – again (Exercise in small groups)
15:30 Plenary discussion
16:00 Closing comments
