At the High, we have found that having an image attached for each
object, even if only for identification purposes, is a tremendous help
in managing the collection. In fact, our images are purposely NOT
print-quality files in order to save memory space and to require staff
with print needs to go to our repro files and check out a
professionally-made transparency or to consult our Graphics department
for professional scans. We do not have a photography staff at all, so we
periodically arrange shoots with an outside professional to accommodate
the most pressing needs. The identifying images in TMS come from a
variety of sources, such as existing Polaroids or snapshots that we scan
or recent digital snaps taken by curatorial assistants. Each curatorial
department is charged with providing identifying images and linking them
to objects in their respective collections - retroactively as they have
time but as a matter of course for new acquisitions. Over the past 5 or
6 years, we have linked images to a majority of our object records (our
collection size is approx. 11,000).

 

We use the "Primary Medium Type" field to indicate a digital "study
image" as well as to list any existing photography and the format it's
in (e.g., "black and white print," "color transparency," etc.).

 

Laurie M. Hicks

Exhibitions Coordinator

High Museum of Art

1280 Peachtree Street NE

Atlanta, GA 30309

ph: 404-733-4511

fx: 404-733-4502

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Don't miss Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic <http://www.high.org> , on view
at the High Museum of Art through February 26.