Technical photography is a powerful tool for examining iron gall ink, commonly used in historical manuscripts and documents. This process involves using various types of light to reveal details about the ink’s composition, condition, and effects on the underlying paper or parchment. Here’s how technical photography is applied to iron gall ink:
1. Visible Light Photography
Purpose: Captures the document as seen by the naked eye, providing a baseline for comparison with other imaging methods.
2. Ultraviolet (UV) Fluorescence Photography
Purpose: UV light causes certain materials, including some ink components and paper, to fluoresce. This can reveal the presence of degradation products from the iron gall ink which may not be visible in normal light.
3. Infrared (IR) Photography
Purpose: Infrared light can differentiate between different types of inks, as some inks absorb infrared light differently.
This video lesson showcases a series of examples created using our Technical Photography Kit. To dive deeper and learn more, explore our FREE course on Technical Photography.
