Designed for those starting out or wanting to kickstart an archiving project, this one-day workshop is for anyone interested in learning why and how to digitise and catalogue a variety of material, including artworks, photographic prints, film, paperwork etc. We will go through digitisation and cataloguing across a range of budgets and set-ups, whether you are working in your home or in a professional studio or space.
After the one-day workshop, you will have a clearer understanding of:
- The purpose and intent behind digitisation and cataloguing
- Standards and their importance
- Common terms, workflows and processes
- Equipment, techniques and other practical considerations
Who is this for?
This workshop is for anyone who would like to learn more about digitisation and cataloguing. You might be a photographer/artist with your own work, have a collection of different types of material (paper, film, artworks, etc) or just have a general interest in digitisation and/or cataloguing.
The day will start with an introductory presentation on digitisation and cataloguing, followed by hands-on demonstrations and practical guidance. This workshop is a collaboration with cultural heritage digitisation specialists TownsWeb Archiving .
In the workshop TownsWeb will share insights into their digitisation practice, exploring how photographic expertise, emerging imaging technologies, and thoughtful workflows can strengthen cultural heritage preservation in the digital age.
Details on how to access the event will be confirmed upon registration. Please check your junk folders if you haven't received an email from TPG staff confirming your place.
Schedule
13.00 Workshop start, introductions
13:20 Digitisation presentation
14.20 Break
14.35 Digitisation demonstration
15.35 Break
15.50 Cataloguing/Lightroom presets
17.00 Q&A
17.30 End
You are encouraged to bring any film or paper- based material you would like to practice with. If you would like to keep the digitised files please bring in a USB/pen drive.
This workshop is held at The Photographers’ Gallery. Places are limited so book soon!
Following the workshop, you might want to book an additional 1:1 session with The Photographers’ Gallery Archivist to discuss specific digitisation needs/goals and develop a tailored digitisation and cataloguing plan. This can be at the Gallery or online.
Biographies
John Wallace
John Wallace is a photographer and digitisation specialist with over 30 years of experience in visual imaging and cultural heritage preservation. As part of the TownsWeb team, John works at the intersection of photography, technology, and archival practice, helping cultural institutions transform physical collections into high-quality, accessible digital assets.
Kathryn Tollervey
Kathryn Tollervey is the Archivist at The Photographers’ Gallery. She has twenty years’ experience working in photographic archives, including Foster + Partners (Norman Foster’s architectural studio, London) photographic & special collections archive, the Victorian high street photographer Edward Reeves’ Archive (Lewes) and the archives of celebrated American-photographer Lee Miller (Chiddingly)
Bursaries
A number of partial bursaries covering 50 per cent of course fees will be awarded on a first come basis. Applicants who wish to be considered for a partial bursary should submit a statement (max. 500 words) to projects@tpg.org.uk, outlining how Workshop: Digitising and Cataloguing would contribute to their professional development. Successful applicants will be notified within a week of submission.
We actively encourage applications from groups who are currently underrepresented in the cultural sector in the UK. This includes people who identify as D/deaf, disabled* and neurodivergent; those with caring responsibilities; candidates from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds; and arts and culture professionals desiring career development, prioritising independent artists, freelancers and those made redundant/at risk of redundancy since 2020.
*The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Sharing that you are disabled will not be used in any way in judging the quality of your application.
Ticketing
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