Current Approaches, Solutions and Practices in Conservation of Cultural Heritage

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DOI :10.26650/B/AA9PS34.2024.006.011   IUP :10.26650/B/AA9PS34.2024.006.011    Full Text (PDF)

Imaging Different Types of Materials in Cultural Heritage With Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) Technique

Emirhan Çetinkaya, Ayberk Yılmaz, Gülder Emre, Gülce Öğrüç Ildız, Emre Veysel Şener

Reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) technology is a method used in the visual examination and documentation of cultural heritage. The method has a fixed camera setup. The artifact, which is placed opposite the camera, is illuminated from different angles using fixed equipment or labor. One photograph is taken for each angle of illumination. The photographs are processed with the help of software, and the color and shape information is saved in a file. Thanks to the advanced functions in the computerized imaging software, surface features and color information can be changed to bring to the fore details that would not be noticeable under normal conditions. The method can be used to document various works and contribute to the investigation of construction techniques and deterioration before restoration and conservation works. Fixed hardware was produced for use in this study. The body of the hardware is geodesic-dome-shaped. The LED lighting on the dome worked synchronously with the shooting device by communicating wirelessly. Using this equipment, ceramics, oil on wood, metal, and paper materials were imaged using the RTI method. Imaging different types of materials allowed us to compare the success of the method on different surfaces. At the same time, the method is expected to highlight the traces caused by production on the surface and the physical damages that occur afterward. The fact that various works had suffered some damage was considered to examine their construction techniques and distortions and that the color-shape properties were variable in object selection. The possible contribution of this method to conservation and restoration studies can also be evaluated.


Keywords: Reflectance transformation imaging, geodesic dome, conservation, cultural heritage

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