Examination


Objects Lab	Paintings Lab	Paper Lab	Science Lab	Library


Students acquire proficiency in a wide variety of technical examination techniques and in technical and scientific digital and film-based photography, and become skilled in the use of all tools involved in these activities. The fully equipped examination and documentation suite consists of two photographic studios, an adjacent film loading and storage room, and a fully shielded radiography room. On a separate floor are two supporting rooms for archival black-and-white film processing and photographic printing. Students are trained, as well, in the proper use of stereomicroscopes; and the department's conservation treatment laboratories are equipped with a variety of these instruments (primarily Wild), both floor-stand and table mounted, and most with video and photographic capability.
Documentation: Photographic equipment in the main studio includes: a studiostand-mounted Sinar P large-format view-camera with accessories; a large selection of Nikon 35mm cameras and lenses; professional Gossen light meters, a Minolta color temperature meter, a comprehensive set of photographic filters including those for reflected ultraviolet, fluorescence and luminescence, and infrared photography; a large selection of flood, spot, fiberoptic, and polarized light sources, and lighting control equipment; portable electronic flash units; artifact support equipment including a motorized easel, tilting table for photography of large artifacts, a FOBA studio shooting table for three-dimensional artifacts, easels, stands, and light boxes for transillumination; and studio background equipment. A secondary studio houses a Polaroid MP-4 copy and photomacrographic camera and a smaller general-purpose copy stand.
Digital photography and image processing equipment is extensive and each student is provided with a personal 40GB LaCie mobile hard drive for active storage of all their digital and computer files. Digital equipment includes: a Nikon D-1 and two Nikon D100 professional SLR digital cameras and a BetterLight® 6000-2 large-format digital back; a Microtek ScanMaker 9800XL flatbed scanner with transparency adapter; aNikon Super CoolScan LS-4000ED high resolution film scanner with auto feeder. In addition, there are three mobile dual-monitor image processing stations equipped with LaCie Electron Blue IV 22” primary monitors; Epson 2200 or 2000P photographic, pigmented-ink archival printers; Macintosh G-4 or G-5 support computers; image processing software including the complete Adobe CS Design Suite®; and a shared Wacom Intuos2 Platinum graphics tablet. A ColorVision Spyder colorimeter and GTI Soft View print/transparency viewer and a complete set of Macbeth color reference targets are used for color management instruction. A mobile camera control station is equipped with a Macintosh G-5 computer, and Viewsonic monitor; control software for both the Nikon digital cameras (Nikon Capture) and the Better Light scanning back (Viewfinder); and a Scion scientific frame grabber for use with the infrared cameras.
Technical Examination: The department owns a superb x-radiography facility. Its two Philips® x-radiography units cover the 5 to 320 kV range allowing the radiography of materials ranging from thin paper sheets, textiles, and paintings to heavy metal objects. The facility also includes a xeroradiography unit, radiocarbon source sheets for beta radiography, radiation survey meter, Geiger counter, and dosimeters. Additional technical examination equipment includes: two infrared vidicon units, an infrared image converter; a fiberscope for internal examination of artifacts; illumination sources for long and short-wave ultraviolet examination, filtered visible light sources for infrared luminescence studies, sodium vapor source, and light sources for Dylux® recording of watermarks. Related Areas: Students are also trained in the documentation and assessment of environmental conditions using a variety of equipment maintained in this space, including: a luminance/illuminance meter, an ultraviolet content meter, an ultraviolet radiometer with UVA, UVB and UVC sensors, psychrometers, and recording hygrothermographs, including computer-based "data loggers." Students also receive extensive training and practical experience in professional presentation techniques and are required to give four formal oral presentations during their three years in the program. Supporting these efforts are a variety of visual presentation tools including: an InFocus LP 790 digital projector with Macintosh laptop computer; slide and overhead projectors, a slide duplicating unit; a variety of slidemaking equipment and supplies; a video camera and VCR unit. Broadcast quality digital video services are available through the college's Instructional Resources Center.