Page 346 - Green - Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook. 2nd ed

Chapter 12
Artifact Photography
I. OBJECTIVES OF ARTIFACT PHOTOGRAPHY
The artifact photograph is a technical image that can be used to illustrate an object. From this the archaeologist has a record giving an excellent visual impression of the object and from which simple measure- ments can be taken. In some cases the photograph may be used to record a structure on a site and its survival over a number of years (Figure 12.1). Artifact photography is not intended to be artistic, although there is no reason why it should not be so. The photograph is a perspective view, so that unless special techniques are used, it is only possible to take measure- ments from the plane in which the scale lies. The main criteria for a good artifact photograph are that (1) the scale should be well placed so mea- surements can be taken of the object, (2) the object should be evenly illu- minated against a sensibly contrasting background with no harsh shadows obscuring the profile, (3) the view should be symmetrical about the major axes of the object, and (4) the object and the photograph should be able to be easily identified.
A major problem with artifact photography is that, although it is easy to take very large numbers of photographs of objects, unless the photogra- pher has a very clear understanding of what is being photographed and why, the whole process is a waste of time. Additionally, it is important to ensure that it is possible to locate a photograph once it has been taken. Therefore, the photographic collection has to be administered in an effi- cient manner.
325