Introduction Course Photography for Archaeologists – 20&21 April 2023

Date: 20-21 April 2023

Teacher: Anneke Dekker, photographer and film maker at the Amsterdam Centre for Ancient Studies and Archaelogy (ACASA), University of Amsterdam

Objective of the course

In this introductory course, you will familiarize yourself with the basic principles of photography and learn the possibilities of your camera. You will be provided with tips for photography ‘in the field’ and learn to take good photos of archaeological objects using simple means.

The course consists of two half-day sessions

Session 1 (all participants): Basic principles of Photography

Session 1 is the theoretical part of the course, in which we will discuss the basic principles of photography and light. You will learn how to use your camera’s manual settings. We will address shutter speed, diaphragm, iso-sensitivity, depth of field and the use of different types of lenses, such as wide-angle and telephoto lenses, as well as their different properties. In addition, this session will give you tips for photographing at an archaeological site.

Session 2: Workshop Photographing Archaelogical Objects

Session 2 is the practical part of the course, where you will use the knowledge acquired in the previous session to practice photographing different archaeological objects in pairs, doing various assignments. You will use your own camera, or a professional camera if you don’t own one, and using both natural light and flash.

Programme

Day 1: Thursday 20 April (Location: HG 08A-37, Main Building, 8th floor)

10.00-12.30 Group 1,2 and 3            Basic principles of photography

13.30-17.00 Group 1                          Workshop photographing archaeological objects

Day 2: Friday 21 April (Location: HG 15A-37, Main Building, 15th floor)

10.00-12.30 Group 2           Workshop photographing archaeological objects

13.30-17.00 Group 3           Workshop photographing archaeological objects

Practical information

Max. number of participants: 12 (3 groups of 4)

The course is divided into two parts, a theoretical and a practical part. Not everyone can attend the practical on the same day. Students from the RUG get priority to attend the practical on the same day.

Before the start of the course, you will receive a reader by e-mail. Take a look at it beforehand.

To bring (if possible): your own camera (don’t forget full batteries and charger), memory card, manual of the camera, laptop.

For questions regarding the content of this course, please contact aem.dekker@planet.nl. For any other question, please contact secretary@archonline.nl.