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Reference Versus Research Images
At a low level of digitization of print materials is a simply derived Reference image that can be created using automated scanners or smartphones, with no intended determination for long term preservation. Scanning devices or smartphones require no specialized skill in lighting, composition or focusing as devices automatically determine settings. This can be a very useful image but is not optimized for OCR or other high level online research of materials. Files created by these devices (PDF, JPEG, PNG) are not intended for optimized enhancement and are often low-resolution, ideal for reference, speedy transfer, and portability, but insufficient for quality reproduction.
At a high level of digitization of cultural heritage materials is a skillfully derived
Research image created at documented preservation standards informed by best practices specifications that meet or exceed FADGI (Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative) standards. This type of digitization requires the skilled use of high-resolution photographic equipment. The photographer will use lighting designed for cultural heritage imaging and must use professional judgment to properly set exposure, illuminate, and compose each photograph. In addition, the camera, lighting, and display monitor must be calibrated regularly. File formats created using this equipment are lossless (RAW, TIFF) allowing for optimized enhancement and captured at equipment-capable resolutions suitable for high-quality reproduction.
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