Short Description
A Phaseone IQ4 full-frame medium format back with a resolution of 150 MP, 15 f-stops of dynamic range and 16-bit colour depth is used for the photographic documentation. The infrared cut-off filter (‘hot-mirror filter’), usually mounted in front of the sensor, has been removed to capture images in near-infrared light; images with visible light are realised with a corresponding screw-in filter. The three excellent Rodenstock lenses (HR Digaron-W 40 mm f/4.0, HR Digaron-SW 90 mm f/5.6 and HR Digaron-S 180 mm f/5.6) are not only capable of handling the high sensor resolution but also make it possible to work with a wide range of object sizes.
The Actus DB-2 (Cambo) view camera also offers the greatest possible flexibility with regard to the shooting situation thanks to the tilt/shift options. 2 Profoto Pro-11 generator flash units with different light shapers ensure precise and constant lighting for both two- and three-dimensional objects and a wide variety of shooting types (transmitted light, grazing light, shots with polarised light, etc.). Two 80W LED UV lamps with a maximum emission at 365 nm (Dedolight DLE9-UV365) are available for UV fluorescence imaging.
Contact Person
Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Katja Sterflinger
Research Services
The Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK) and the Core Facility "Centre for Material Sciences in Art and Conservation (ZMKK)" are central facilities of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna for the natural scientific (material) analysis of works of art. The facilities support members of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna or other research institutions, museums, libraries, archives, etc. in the realisation of joint projects within the framework of research funding or contract research and also offers services (third-party funding) for external parties.
The focus is on scientific material analyses of artworks and archive materials using FTIR, Raman, XRF, UV-Vis, HSI, RSI, ESEM (EDX), Py-GC/MS, digital X-ray radiography and photo documentation (Vis, UV, IR, IRR), (3D) microscopy, chambers for accelerated ageing of samples.
Special services photographic documentation:
- High-resolution, colour-consistent photographic documentation of two- and three-dimensional objects
- Grazing light photography for surface visualisation
- Transmitted light photography
- Reflection-free imaging with polarised light
- Stitching for high-resolution photos, even of large objects
- Infrared photography to visualise underdrawings
- UV fluorescence photography for the visualisation of retouching, varnish, binders, etc.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
Photographic imaging of artworks not only serves to create a documentation of their condition that is as true to detail and colour as possible but also offers the opportunity to visualise various - sometimes invisible - information using a non-destructive, non-invasive method, which also serves as a starting point for further investigations.
The following types of images are taken:
- High-resolution images of two- or three-dimensional objects in visible light with the best possible colour accuracy; several individual images can also be combined if the objects are large enough
- grazing light images to visualise the surface structure
- Transmitted light images
- Images with polarised light to suppress reflections
- IR photographs to visualise any underdrawings, pentimenti, retouching, etc. Although only images up to a wavelength of approx. 1100 nm are possible, the thermal load is significantly lower than with infrared reflectography due to the short exposure time ( respectively the use of flash light).
- UV fluorescence images to visualise varnish, retouching and binding agents
Using a view camera also improves the image quality by avoiding perspective distortion and tilting the focal plane to optimise the depth of field.