DIGITISING GLASS PLATES

To get started with my ‘Independent Study’ project using the glass plate negatives, I first needed a clearer idea of what photographs were on these pieces of glass. Scanning them would be the best/quickest option at a low resolution, I knew that these were just for research purposes and that I could scan at a higher resolution later on. I was fortunate enough to find myself a work placement in my second year at a digitistion unit within my university, this unit is so amazing for old mediums to be digitised, from 35mm slides to cassette tapes, as well as scanning students work. While on my placement, I scanned sketchbooks, animation acetates and also digitised a collection of 35mm slides. While digitising the slides I learnt how to use a software called ‘ Capture One’ which is what I am now using to digitise these glass plates. I needed to get all of the photographs digitised pretty quickly in order to think about ideas for my project and this was the quickest initial way. I basically took photographs of the glass plates which were placed on top of a light box. I used black card around the plate to block out any irrelevant light to get the most accurate exposure. The DSLR is tethered to the mac which meant I could control the camera from the computer. Once everything was set up it was just a case of cleaning and shooting each negative. I scanned the first three boxes in this session, a total of 66 glass plates. Photograph of work in progress and inverted plate below.

While investigating these images it was amazing to see the time shift between then and now in so many different aspects, from fashion, entertainment to even the signposts in the background of the images. I am very interested in the photograph above as it makes me think of so many questions. I want to know who the two gentlemen are, what their stories are, what the gentleman gazing at the camera is thinking. These questions are what excite me about working with archives, the unknown, wanting to solve these little mysteries. This one photograph makes me so excited and intrigued as to what other untold stories the next 4 boxes hold.

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