Applications of Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) for Books and Objects on Paper

Abstract

ABSTRACT Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) is a photography technique that documents object surface relief under varying illumination directions. This article presents the technique through a portable, automated RTI dome system, which allows for convenient photographing of objects in the collection and subsequent rendering of interactive, digital RTI images. The paper showcases the possible applications of RTI methods in documenting books and objects on paper. We discuss the applicability of RTI in four principal areas of interest: technology identification, object condition assessment, evaluation of conservation treatments, and dissemination of conservation work results. Each example is supported with RTI images recorded for objects from the collections of the Jagiellonian Library in Krakow, the Central Archives of Modern Records in Warsaw and the Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw.