Genealogy Chat

Using your digital camera it is possible to photograph documents - for instance at the Record Office/Library (seek permission first - See 7th message in from Janet re permission) or when you visit great-aunt Flo and she doesn't want you to borrow her album!! - the results can truly be as good as a professional copy..... See below in a mo for some photography tips to help achieve success............happy Hunting - Merry

Hubby has photographed old documents with his digital camera in the Record Offices, with great success (but you do nead a reasonable quality camera and with a min of 3mega-pixel, but preferably more). Tips - check whether you can use a tripod or flash if you are visiting a public building. If not (and a tripod can sometimes get in the way if the subject matter is too big) then there is a gadget you can get from a camera specialist, a sort of chest support that hangs round your neck and helps to keep the camera steady - sorry I can't remember what it's called! (longer exposure time for no flash causes camera shake) and also ensures you have the camera directly over the subject and LEVEL- ie if the document is on a table then your camera must be pointing straight down - the tendency is to accidentally have the top of the camera a little higher than the bottom. The perspective must not be distorted (REALLY, REALLY important!) Use highest resolution possible. Don't be afraid to ask to use a table with the best lighting in the room. Not full sun, but as bright as possible.... Take more than one shot of each document. Don't forget to take adequate batteries!! Hubby says if you need to photograph close to the subject you may have to use the macro setting (whatever that means - he is dictating!!) There may be a variable setting on your camera for ''white balance''. Consider what the light in the room is (fluorescent, natural, incandescent etc) and set accordingly, Best of luck - think of all the money you might save on copying costs - and think how Aunt Flo won't have to worry about the loss of her precious photos at the local lab! PLEASE ADD YOUR TIPS TO THIS THREAD - I know nothing about this subject myself really - let hubby do the technical stuff!! So let me know if I've said anything wrong!! Merry

Hi Merry, the macro setting is very important (it's the little flower symbol on the camera) that allows you to photograph very close objects. But don't forget to switch it back to normal afterwards or all your other photo's will be all blurry as I have found out on several occassions.

Great tips Karen! To practise holding your camera pointing directly at the floor, stand sideways-on to a mirror, lean forward and aim your camera at the floor. Without moving the camera, turn your head and look in the mirror. Is the camera pointing straight down?? Bet it won't be the first few times you try!! This tip also works well if you are concerned about the flatness (or otherwise) of your stomach lol Merry

It might be a good idea to photograph any document you have at home e.g. your gas bill etc. Practice makes perfect and you can always delete you practice shots later.

Nudge

I have taken many good pictures of old documents in Record Offices with a 4X mgp Digital Camera. You MUST not only seek permission of the Record Office that you intend to photograph these docs but you often have to sign a form to say that the info will not be used for anything other than your own personal use. The National Archives insist on a form being signed which you then carry with you whenever you go to TNA. It is a good way of getting copies of parchment documents where the CRO refuse to photocopy these documents. When standing over the document make sure that you are not casting a shadow on to the document that you are photographing. Practice at home as has already been suggested. You MUST turn the flash off as the flash will harm the docs but you can ask for better lighting if needed. TNA supply a special room for photographing old documents. Anything that is under glass is best photographed without flash as the flash will create a shadow flashback, most probably over the writing you wish to read! The beauty of Digital cameras is that you can take many photographs of the same subject and choose the best one eventually, discarding the rest. Digital Cameras can certainly save you a lot of time at a CRO when time is always so limited. Janet

Nudge

and make sure you have enough batteries too, I forgot and visited a Aunt who I had not seen for years and could only get a couple of photos ops just seen someone has already suggested this