Photographing Collection Objects
When COVID-19 shifted our working and social conditions, causing the Ohio History Center and partner sites to close, our staff wondered how we could perform isolated tasks and bring our collections alive outside of our physical spaces. One approach was with the use of digital photography.
With the generous support of a National Endowment of the Humanities grant, the OHC Exhibits team was able to reimagine the photography of collection objects. During this time, we tested different photographic styles, lighting and framing and discussed the importance of creating clean, detailed images that would best showcase objects from our collection.
We began working with collection objects that are included in the newly built Harding Presidential Library and Museum in Marion, Ohio. While installing the exhibition, we carefully handled and photographed 170 objects for a total of 1800 images before selection and editing. These images include testing with lighting and exposure while on site. The final edited count was 260 images that will be included in our online catalog when it becomes available later this year.