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
ph: 404-733-4511
fx: 404-733-4502
Don't miss Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic,
on view at the High Museum of Art through February 26.