On the morning of Monday 23rd June, the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive (SJPA) welcomed a visiting group of students from Le Rocquier School, taking part in the school’s annual summer activity week. Coinciding with the school’s visit on the same morning to the Jersey Heritage Museum (JHM), the purpose of the visit was to explore firsthand the important role technology plays in helping to run and manage modern archives and museums.
The school’s visit to the Photo Archive took place over a 45-minute period and was split up into two separate parts, led respectively by SJPA Archivist Rochelle Merhet and SJPA Assistant Max Le Feuvre.
Part 1 – Techology used within Photographic Digitisation
To kick off the visit was a presentation led by Max. Within his presentation, he took the students through a specific aspect of his role which relies on heavily on the use of technology – photographic digitisation.
After explaining what photographic digitisation is and the reasons why it is necessary, Max then went on to highlight and explain the two different methods we use to digitise photographs; firstly, the method of creating photographic reproductions using a digital camera attached to a copy stand and secondly, the method of digitally scanning photographic material using a flatbed scanner. When explaining these two digitisation methods, Max explored the advantages and disadvantages of both, discussing the various types of technology and equipment we use, as well as highlighting the types of photographic items that best suited each method.
After explaining the use of technology within photographic digitisation, Max then spoke about the two next stages, firstly the stage of exporting images and secondly, the stage of applying, whenever necessary, post-production to newly digitised files. To show how image exporting is achieved, Max took the students through a software called capture one, showing specifically how batch exporting is achieved and explaining why this method is so useful and important. To explain image post-production, Max showed the students visual examples of different types of software that we use, Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop.
To conclude the presentation, Max then explained the final stages that must be undertaken once the digitised image files have been created, exported and finalised. Firstly, he discusses the process and importance of cataloguing and listing of items, showing how this is achieved through Microsoft Excel. Finally, Max explained to the students how the SJPA then stores this newly compiled information onto a software called Adlib, which can then be exported directly onto the shared Jersey Heritage/Société Jersiaise catalogue, available to be viewed by the public.
(Above) Photograph of Max demonstrating the digitising process using a camera attached to a copy stand.
(Above) Screenshot shown by Max demonstrating image post-production process using Adobe Photoshop.
(Above) Screenshot shown by Max demonstrating the listing/cataloguing process using Microsoft Excel.
Part 2 – Demonstration of SJPA equipment and photographs
For the second part of the visit, Rochelle led an engaging visual demonstration showcasing the various types of photographic material and equipment available in our archive. In contrast to Max’s presentation which looked at how technology is applied to the SJPA in a modern context, Rochelle’s demonstration explored the impact technology has played within the SJPA from a historical perspective.
With the material laid out across a series of tables, Rochelle showed the students the broad and extensive array of photographic material that we hold, ranging from photographic prints, colour slide transparencies, film negatives across all formats, right up to early photographic materials including glass plate negatives, ambrotypes and even a couple of examples of the extremely rare daguerreotype. In addition to showcasing and explaining in detail about these items, Rochelle also showed the group a variety of historical cameras that the SJPA hold, for example a large format camera, the iconic Kodak ‘Box Brownie’ camera, as well as a variety of different 35mm film cameras.
After showing the students this vast array of material, they then were provided the opportunity to observe and reflect upon the items displayed, as well as the opportunity to ask any questions. We can report that both the students and teachers put Max and Rochelle’s knowledge to the test with some intriguing and insightful questions!
(Above) Rochelle leading the students through a practical demonstration of technology held within the SJPA.
(Above) The students enjoyed the opportunity afterwards to engage with the material and ask a range of questions.
(Above) Example of a ‘large format’ camera – can be used to hold both large format film and glass plate negatives.
Overview
In summary, the visit by Le Rocquier School proved to be a very successful trip. By separating the session into two distinctive parts, firstly with Max exploring technology from a modern perspective, followed by Rochelle taking the students through a historical timeline of the different processes and materials which have come to shape the SJPA, the students were provided with a broad overview and understanding of how technology has, and continues to shape, the development of the Photo Archive.
Afterwards we were very pleased to hear feedback that the students enjoyed and learned a great deal from the trip. In summary it was a pleasure to welcome all the Le Rocquier staff and students to the SJPA and are delighted to hear the visit has been for them, a positive and informative experience.
If you would like to find out more about the SJPA’s educational opportunities, or to enquire more generally about the SJPA and other services we provide, please do not hesitate to reach out to us either via email on photoarchive@societe.je or alternatively via telephone on +44 (0) 1534 633398, where a member of our dedicated and highly knowledge team would be delighted to assist.
Photographs and text by Max Le Feuvre
