Archaeological photographers take pictures of an ongoing excavation.
Archaeological photography is the practice of photographing the many facets of archaeological work in order to create a lasting record of that work. The specific work of an archaeological photographer generally involves tasks such as taking pictures of a site before, during, and after an excavation, and photographing artifacts. In the early 21st century, much of archaeological photography was done digitally, a technological development that enhanced the field and posed unique challenges. Those who wish to become archaeological photographers may want to consider a course of study that focuses on photography and archaeology.
An archaeological photographer creates a permanent photographic record of archaeological projects.
The job of an archaeological photographer is to create a permanent photographic record of archaeological projects. By capturing the various elements of these projects on film, the photographer provides visual data that can be further studied by archaeologists working on that specific project, academic researchers, museum curators, and anyone who wishes to gain insight into past civilizations. . One of the reasons archaeological photography is so important to the field of archeology is that once a site has been excavated, it cannot be restored to its original state. Therefore, photographs can provide a lasting record of a site before and during excavation.
Archaeological photography is necessary to create a lasting record of the sites studied.
In most cases, much of an archaeological photographer’s work takes place on site. He often takes photographs of the dig as it progresses, showing, for example, where and how a specific artifact was located when it was discovered. Additionally, she may photograph the area around a site to record its appearance at the time of excavation. Often the other main component of an archaeological photographer’s job is taking pictures of each artifact recovered during an excavation so that its details and size are clear. This task can be performed in a laboratory, museum, or other off-site location.
An archaeological photographer takes pictures of ancient artifacts.
As of the end of 2011, archaeological photography has largely become a digital medium. Digital technology has many benefits for archaeological photographers. It allows, for example, to check the quality and composition of each shot before leaving an excavation site, and also allows you to share photos quickly and cheaply. However, this technology also presents some challenges. For example, to create authentic records of artifacts, photographers must resist the temptation to over-correct their images using photography software.
Those who wish to become archaeological photographers will likely need to have a background in photography and archaeology. Archeology departments at some colleges and universities offer classes that focus specifically on archaeological photography. Alternatively, the student may wish to complete a double major in these disciplines or obtain a bachelor’s degree in one of the disciplines and a master’s degree in the other.