« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2008, 10:00:37 AM »
I use a digital camera whenever allowed. I currently have a Canon Powershot XS 100 IS, but there are many decent ones out there. It is important to use a macro (close-up) setting so that the page or paragraph-sized information will fill the page. Also, don't forget that you can turn the camera if that will fill the image more efficiently.
Move in and focus. You don't need to record the desktop or most of the page margins; you want an image of the information on the page.
My camera is small enough that I can shoot with one hand while making the book as flat as possible with the other. (How many times have my fingers been recorded spreading the page flat?) Lay the book on the desk and stand above it, getting your camera shooting as perpendicular to the book as possible. Don't forget to physically turn the camera to a vertical, or portrait, view as most pages are taller than they are wide and you can get closer that way.
I take along a pocket-sized tripod, but the ISO (speed) is so high that I haven't needed it. The light in most libraries is sufficient for hand-held legible images. If your camera has an adjustable speed, a higher IOS number will give you the ability to shoot in dimmer conditions. The image deteriorates somewhat under higher speed, but we're not shooting photos for magazine covers and the resulting images will be fine. (Sitting near a window may help, too, though direct sunlight may show distracting paper fibers and shadows so would best be avoided.) Most of the time, I admit, I just use an automatic setting and get good results.
Some other hints---
1. ALWAYS copy the title page and the publication information. I do that first so that I know that the following images are from that book. HOWEVER, it's also recommended to make a written record of the title of the source and which page numbers were copied from that source and subject in case the information is scrambled somewhere between your camera, computer, and photo program. There's nothing worse than finding information on a page which you can use but to not know from which of the 10 sources you searched it comes.
2. Make sure that the page number can be read, even if that means you must take a separate shot of just the page number. This is for the same reason as above, so that you can accurately cite the page number of the information source. Again, you may want to shoot the page number first. Another option is to record the title and page number of a slip of paper or small post-it and include that in the image.
3. As mentioned above, zero in on the information needed. If you find that the information on your relative is only 1/3 of the page, record the page number (hard copy as well as photographing), then turn the camera as needed and move in to record just that part of the page. The image will be large enough to read easily without extraneous information surrounding it.
4. In larger books you may want to move in and record the page in sections, perhaps a third of a page at a time. Make sure that there is some overlap of information in your shots so that the entire page is recorded, if needed, and so that you can recontruct the order of the page correctly. (Don't forget to physically turn the camera to a horizontal or landscape view if that will better serve the purpose.)
5. CHECK your image. Always immediately review your shots. Sometimes you might find that the camera didn't focus properly or that you copied only part of the information you wanted. You can erase and immediately copy a better image. That's much nicer than getting home and discovering that the last numeral in that date you wanted was cut out of the image and you'll have to go back and look it up again. (Or, since you have the source title and page number, you might be able to call the repository and get someone to check for you. Still, a nuisance that can be avoided rather easily with a quick check.)
6. Try to hold the camera steadily and hold your breath as you take the shot, squeezing the shutter button, trying not to jerk the camera as you do so. This should result in decent hand-held images. Note: This is more important in trying to copy a small portion of a page as any movement is more pronounced. Keeping your arms close to your body will help, too.
One advantage of using a camera is that you can worry less about transcription errors in your notes as you have an image of the original to refer to. Also, you can copy more information more quickly than by hand. I have found some rather lengthy (several page) histories or genealogies in some books which I can record then read later at home. The ability to look at the information at leisure that evening in your hotel room or home, doing additional research when the repository is closed for the day, gives you time to research for additional information in the repository while it's open. If traveling, of course, you will want to review that information in the evening (or at lunch---You do stop to eat, don't you?) in case it raises new clues which you might be able to check before heading home, especially if the repository is far from home.
I hope some of these clues help if you're starting digitally photographing records. Good luck with your searches!
