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Digital imaging

Refers to the capture, processing, storage and preservation of images in digital formats.

Articles | Books | Events | Organisations and Websites | Online tutorial | Policies, Strategies & Guidelines | Projects and Case Studies | Bibliographies | Glossaries | Journals & Newsletters | Discussion Lists | Surveys | Tools | Evaluations

Articles

Safekept
Capturing Technical Metadata for Digital Still Images
Dale, Robin L.; Waibel, Günter In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Oct 2004)
This article examines the importance of technical metadata in the preservation of digital images. It describes NISO (National Information Standards Organization) Z39.87 and the documentation of file formats, the development of a data dictionary independent of file formats by PREMIS, the automatic exposure initiative which will automate technical metadata collection and emerging developments in archival file formats.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObject.jsp?objid=0000070519&reqi
d=3826
Historical Costs of Digital Imaging Projects
Puglia, S In: RLG DigiNews (Last Updated: 15 Oct 1999) (United States of America)
This article examines the digitisation process and assigns costs to digitisation projects including the long-term maintenance of digitised material.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp?fileid=0000070519
:000006287381&reqid=15674#feature
Digital Image Asset Management at the National Gallery of Art (US)
Dueker, Peter; Newman, Alan In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Dec 2006) (United States of America)
This article provides an overview of the National Gallery of Art's digital asset management strategy and system.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp?fileid=0000070511
:000006283368&reqid=7420#article2
Digital Images Archiving Study : Final Draft
Anderson, Sheila [et al.] (Date Created: Mar 2006) (United Kingdom)
This article is part of a series of feasibility studies produced by the AHDS (Arts and Humanities Data Service) which aim to assess the preservation risk and retention criteria for digital content. The purpose of the Digital images study is to define the preservation requirements of digital image files and to determine archiving methodologies and future research directions. Issues discussed include the properties of digital images, preservation methods, images metadata, life cycle models and assessing preservation costs.
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/uploaded_documents/FinaldraftImagesArchivingStud
y.pdf
Digital Imaging - How Far Have We Come and What Still Needs to be Done?
Puglia, Steven; Rhodes, Erin In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Apr 2007)
This article considers progress, achievements and the future of digital imaging.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObject.jsp?objid=0000070519&reqi
d=7300
Digital Negative (DNG)
Adobe Systems Inc. (Date Created: Oct 2004)
Adobe has announced a new public format for raw digital camera files, the Digital Negative (DNG) file format. DNG offers an open format for archiving proprietary raw files from a diverse range of cameras by different manufacturers, which has positive implications for their long-term preservation. Adobe has also launched a freely available software tool, the Adobe DNG converter, which can translate many of the proprietary files in use today into the new format. Both the Adobe DNG converter and the DNG file format specification are available for download.
http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/main.html
Historical DoD-NARA Scanned Images Standards Conference
MacTavish, Sue In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Apr 1999) (United States of America) Reviewed by: DoD-NARA Scanned Images Standards Conference
This technical feature reviews the proceedings of a Scanned Images Standards Conference, sponsored by the US Department of Defense (DoD) and National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The conference reviewed imaging standards and examined the status of selected imaging projects.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp?fileid=0000070519
:000006286814&reqid=15674#technical1
Safekept
Historical DoD-NARA Scanned Images Standards Conference
Research Libraries Group In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Apr 1999) (United States of America)
This article provides an overview of the papers presented at the conference.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp?fileid=0000070519
:000006286814&reqid=15167#technical1
FAQ: The Missing Dimension in Web-based Museum Exhibitions: Obstacles to Adding Depth to Digital Data
Entlich, Richard In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Dec 2006)
This article discusses the development of virtual museum exhibitions based on three dimensional imagery on the web,and the obstacles to creation, dissemination and management.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp?fileid=0000070511
:000006283368&reqid=7420#article5
A Few Tips to Help Preserve Digital Images
Kriegsman, Sue; Mandell, Lee (Date Created: Mar 2004)
This is a set of nine observations with annotations and examples on the preservation aspects digital imaging.
http://ois.harvard.edu/~lee/preservation/preservationTips.html
Historical Guidelines for Image Capture
Chapman, S. (Date Created: Feb 1999)
Five topics related to digital image capture are reviewed, with the objective of identifying the points in the reformatting workflow that would most benefit from the development of guidelines. They are: materials handling, systems quality, digital master quality, derivatives, and file naming. Each of the five sections includes introductory comments, a list of issues, a review of technology, and a summary of practice to gauge where perspectives are similar and where they vary. The sections conclude with lists of questions to promote further discussion.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp;jsessionid=84ae0c
5f82409349b8753671472eac6b9cf077d95850?fileid=0000070504:000006277797&
reqid=629
How Should You Store Your Digital Data
TASI (Date Created: May 2006)
This document, in the form of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), addresses the issues in the storage of digital image data.
http://www.tasi.ac.uk/advice/delivering/storage.html
Historical Introduction to Imaging : Issues in Constructing an Image Database
Besser, Howard; Trant, Jennifer (Date Created: 1995)
This site introduces the technology and vocabulary of digital imaging as they relate to the development of image databases depicting works found in museum collections. It illustrates the choices that must be made when images are captured, and outlines the areas in which institutional strategies regarding the use of imaging technologies must be developed.
http://www.getty.edu/research/institute/standards/introimages/index.ht
ml
Safekept
Historical Joint RLG and NPO Conference on Guidelines for Digital Imaging
Beagrie, Neil; Elkington, Nancy In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Oct 1998)
Report from RLG DigiNews, 15 Oct 1998, Vol 2, No 5
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp?fileid=0000070519
:000006289766&reqid=3303#feature1
JPEG 2000
Lee, Daniel In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Dec 2002)
An interview with Dr Daniel Lee, convenor of ISO's JPEG group, about JPEG 2000, an emerging alternative image encoding format offering advantages over the current JPEG standard, including lossless compression and support for multiple resolutions.
http://www.rlg.org/legacy/preserv/diginews/diginews6-6.html#interview
Storing Your Digital Images
Bockaert, Vincent (Date Created: 2006)
This article examines two digital image storage methods - hard disk and optical storage,. The methods are examined in terms of costs, data stability, data recovery and long term storage.
http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Storage/Issues_01.htm
Survey of Record-Keeping Practices of Photographers using Digital Technology
Bushey, Jessica (Date Created: 28 Aug 2005)
This survey is part of the InterPARES 2 focus area on artistic activities. Digital photography is used in many areas including for artistic, industrial, scientific, medical and e-government purposes. The survey’s objectives are to gather data relating to the types of records that are produced by professional photographers using digital technology, their assumptions regarding the access to their records over the long-term and the nature and variety of digital imagery and record-keeping systems they use. The analysis of the data will provide the basis for the production of guidelines for digital photography which will be written by InterPARES.
http://www.interpares.org/display_file.cfm?doc=ip2_digital_photo_recor
dkeeping_report.pdf
Sustainability of Digital Resources
TASI (Date Created: Feb 2006)
This TASI advice document covers how to plan for and maintain sustainable digital images but the principles are also applicable to other forms of digital resources. The document covers approaches to sustainability such as maintenance, integration and re-purposing. Practical measures for ensuring sustainability are also discussed including the use of standards, QA and documentation. Options for financing sustainability are also canvassed.
http://www.tasi.ac.uk/advice/managing/sust.html
Also available in pdf.
Three Manufacturers form PASS Group to Safeguard Files
Digital Photography Review (Date Created: 27 Sep 2004)
Konica Minolta, Fuji Film and Eastman Kodak have formed the Picture Archiving and Sharing Standard (PASS) Group.This press release outlines this important step in the development of a set of storage standards which will enable viewing of digital photos that are saved on CDs, DVDs and other media in the long term. Although initially aimed at the consumer market, the standard could have implications for all sectors.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0409/04092705pass_group.asp

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Books

Permanent Pixels : Building Blocks for the Longevity of Digital Surrogates of Historical Photographs
Van Horik, Rene (Date Created: Oct 2005)
This in-depth (220 p.) publication concentrates on the long term preservation of digital surrogates. The book presents a detailed examination of digital preservation strategies, file format standards, metadata schemas and a discussion of some experiments on the longevity of the digital surrogates.
ISBN: 9069844621
http://www.knaw.nl/publicaties/pdf/20051103.pdf
DANS Studies in Digital Archiving, no. 1

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Events

DIAL '06 : 2nd International Conference on Document Image Analysis for Libraries
27 - 28 Apr 2006 , Lyon (Date Created: 2006) (France)
Topics include Imaging & compression standards for document preservation, guaranteeing authenticity of document images and file formats & representations of document images, as well as OCR. Proceedings available at http://liris.cnrs.fr/dial2006/proceedings.html list papers.
http://liris.cnrs.fr/dial2006/
Digital Futures 2006 : Imaging, Archives and Collections
31 Oct 2006 , The Royal Society, London
Royal Photographic Society
(United Kingdom)
Topics include image permanence, image storage and retrieval, data migration strategies and managing digital archives.
http://www.rps-isg.org/docs/DF2006programme.pdf

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Organisations and Websites

Clearinghouse of Image Databases and the IMAGELIB listserv archives
Glogoff, S.; The University of Arizona Library (Regularly Updated) (United States of America)
This website gathers technical and descriptive information about imaging projects as information resources. It includes brief descriptions of the projects and provides contact details for further information.
http://elearn.arizona.edu/imagelib/
JPEG 2000 in Libraries and Archives
University of Connecticut (Regularly Updated)
The decision to create this Web site arose out the Symposium on the Adoption of JPEG 2000 by Archives and Libraries on November 4-5, 2004. The website allows users to register and post their own information on best practice, articles, projects, and products that use the standard. The website provides access to the Symposium report and project briefing; access to resources by type and focus and access to an associated blog. The website has a companion mailing list discussing the application of JPEG 2000 in libraries and archives.
http://j2karclib.info/
OpenRAW : Digital Image Preservation Through Open Documentation
OpenRAW (Regularly Updated)
This website was initiated by a group of digital photographers as a reaction to proprietary raw file formats and the negative impact of these formats on digital preservation and future access. Currently, each manufacturer's format is proprietary and has multiple variations for different camera models. The goal of this organisation is to encourage camera manufacturers to publicly document their RAW image formats.
http://www.openraw.org/
Technical Advisory Service for Images (TASI)
TASI (Regularly Updated) (United Kingdom)
TASI is a service funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) set up to advise and support the academic community on the digital creation, storage and delivery of image-related information. Its web site provides some information relevant to those interested in preserving access to digital images and links to other resources.
http://www.tasi.ac.uk/

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Online tutorial

Moving Theory Into Practice : Digital Imaging Tutorial : Technical Infrastructure : Digitization Chain
Research Dept., Cornell University Library (Last Updated: 2003)
This section of the Cornell tutorial discusses the technical components underpinning a digitisation workflow. It covers image creation (scanners and image processing), file management (tracking and storage), and image delivery (networks, monitors and printers). It describes considerations to be aware of at each stage and offers guidance on decision making. E.g. in thinking about choosing a scanner, questions include 'is the scanner compatible with the documents?', 'can it produce the requisite quality?' and 'can this scanner support the production schedule and conversion budget?'.
http://www.library.cornell.edu/preservation/tutorial/technical/technic
alA-01.html
Moving Theory into Practice: Digital Imaging Tutorial
Entlich, Richard; Kenney, Anne R; Rieger, Oya Y In: Moving Theory into Practice: Digital Imaging for Libraries and Archives (Last Updated: 15 Sep 2002) (United States of America)
An online digital imaging tutorial developed by the Department of Preservation and Conservation of Cornell University Library as an introduction to the use of digital imaging. Includes sections encompassing all the major aspects of digital imaging: Selection, Conversion, Quality Control, Metadata, Technical Infrastructure, Presentation, Digital Preservation, and Management. It is designed to be self-guided and self-paced, and complementary to the Moving Theory into Practice book and workshop series and includes frequent "reality checks" for evaluating the understanding of the presented material and provides suggestions for further reading.
http://www.library.cornell.edu/preservation/tutorial/

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Policies, Strategies & Guidelines

Advice - Creating Digital Images
TASI (Regularly Updated)
The site provides introductory and comprehensive information on a wide variety of topics surrounding the creation of digital images. Topics include file formats, compression, how to choose a file format, digital cameras, how to digitise slides, image editing software, quality assurance, colour management, and scanners. There are also tools to help calculate storage requirements and guidance on how to produce files that will be suitable for particular types of publication (e.g. web, print publication, desktop printing).
http://www.tasi.ac.uk/advice/creating/creating.html
Historical Guides to Quality in Visual Resource Imaging
D'Amato, Donald P.; Frey, Franziska; Serenson Colet, Linda; Williams, Don (Date Created: Jul 2000) (United States of America)
A set of five guides written in conjunction with the Digital Library Federation, Council on Library and Information Resources, and Research Libraries Group to identify imaging technologies and practices for visual resources. Practical information is offered on planning a project, selecting a scanner, factors affecting image quality, measuring quality of digital masters, and file formats for master files. This is not a static publication, but will be updated periodically to keep it up-to-date with current standards and best practices.
http://www.diglib.org/pubs/dlf091/
Introduction To Imaging : Selecting Scanners
Besser, Howard
This section of the Getty guide provides a concise illustrated overview of different types of scanners. It includes an introduction to the technology, equipment features and guidance on how to approach choosing a scanner.
http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/standards/introimage
s/scanners.html
Sustainability of Digital Formats : Planning for Library Of Congress Collections : Still Images
Library of Congress (Last Updated: 06 Mar 2006) (United States of America)
The site operates as a technical information source on digital file formats. The information is intended to aid decision-making on options for long-term preservation of digital content. The site makes recommendations and gives reasons why some formats are preferable to others in terms of their capacity to support long-term access to content. This is a comprehensive information source produced by an organisation committed to maintaining and updating information about preservation of digital content.
http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/formats/content/still.shtml
Technical Guidelines For Digitizing Archival Materials for Electronic Access: Creation of Production Master Files - Raster Images
Puglia, Steven; Reed, Jeffrey; Rhodes, Erin (Date Created: Jun 2004)
Targeted toward archives and other preservation agencies, this publication provides guidance on creation of high quality master images from which surrogates might be generated for distribution, online display or printing. Detailed technical guidelines are provided for digitisation of text, artworks, maps, plans, photographs, and objects. Topics include metadata, file formats, quality control and digital image capture.
http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/digitizing-archival-materials.htm
l
Historical Western States Digital Imaging Best Practices
Collaborative Digitization Program (Last Updated: 22 May 2003) (United States of America)
The guide provides information on image capture, presentation, storage, and preservation for text, photographs, maps and other graphic materials. It contains guidance on scanning and file formats, hardware, software, quality control and colour management. It includes a set of general principles underpinning recommendations throughout the guide. These include scanning at a level of quality that will meet requirements and avoid the need to rescan in the future. As well as technical topics, there is information on staffing, training, costs and how to approach the issue of whether to scan inhouse or outsource to a vendor.
http://www.cdpheritage.org/digital/scanning/documents/wsdibp_v1.pdf

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Projects and Case Studies

Digital Image Asset Management at the National Gallery of Art (US)
Dueker, Peter; Newman, Alan In: RLG DigiNews (Date Created: 15 Dec 2006) (United States of America)
This article provides an overview of the National Gallery of Art's digital asset management strategy and system.
http://digitalarchive.oclc.org/da/ViewObjectMain.jsp?fileid=0000070511
:000006283368&reqid=7420#article2

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Glossaries

Photography / Imaging Glossary
Forget, Mark
This A-Z glossary gives descriptions of terms for principles, processes and equipment from both traditional photography and digital imaging fields.
http://www.digitalexposure.ca/sub1.html

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Discussion Lists

TASI Lightbox
TASI (Regularly Updated)
This blog features news, projects, resources and organisations from the digital imaging world. It is published by TASI (Technical Advisory Service for Images).
http://www.tasi.ac.uk/blog/

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Surveys

Survey of Record-Keeping Practices of Photographers using Digital Technology
Bushey, Jessica (Date Created: 28 Aug 2005)
This survey is part of the InterPARES 2 focus area on artistic activities. Digital photography is used in many areas including for artistic, industrial, scientific, medical and e-government purposes. The survey’s objectives are to gather data relating to the types of records that are produced by professional photographers using digital technology, their assumptions regarding the access to their records over the long-term and the nature and variety of digital imagery and record-keeping systems they use. The analysis of the data will provide the basis for the production of guidelines for digital photography which will be written by InterPARES.
http://www.interpares.org/display_file.cfm?doc=ip2_digital_photo_recor
dkeeping_report.pdf

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Broader Topic: Digitisation

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