How Orbitvu Helped the Museum in Tarnowskie Góry Preserve Cultural Heritage

In today’s digital era, preserving cultural heritage is more important than ever. Museums worldwide are turning to digitization to safeguard artifacts from physical degradation, improve accessibility, and enhance public engagement. The Museum in Tarnowskie Góry, a historic institution in Poland with a collection exceeding 11,000 unique items, faced this challenge head-on.

To streamline their digitization process, the museum adopted Orbitvu’s automated photography technology, transforming what was once a labor-intensive task into an efficient and precise operation.

Overcoming Space and Resource Constraints

The Museum in Tarnowskie Góry houses an extensive collection across three departments:

• History Department: Mining artifacts, historic maps, municipal documents, and military relics.
• Ethnography Department: Folk costumes, jewelry, furniture, and everyday items from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Art Department: Paintings, metalwork, handicrafts, and contemporary art from local artists.

The diversity of artifacts posed a significant challenge for digitization. Items varied in size, material, and condition, requiring a flexible yet precise photography setup. Additionally, the museum lacked a dedicated photography studio, relying instead on external photographers and rented studios. This led to inconsistent results, slow turnaround times, and high costs.

According to Beata Kiszel, Director of the Museum in Tarnowskie Góry, digitization was an urgent priority:

“Digitization of collections is a challenge currently faced by museums. Large museums have already completed this process, but it remains a daunting task for institutions like ours. The possibility of working with Orbitvu gave us the opportunity to photograph our artifacts quickly and efficiently. The results were impressive.”

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A Game-Changer for Artifact Digitization

To address these challenges, the museum implemented the Alphashot XL, an automated product photography solution designed to capture high-quality images of objects with minimal effort. Unlike traditional setups, the Alphashot XL integrates hardware and software to provide professional-grade images quickly and consistently.

Beata Kiszel emphasized its ease of use:

“The studio’s size allowed us to set it up in our museum. Our employees, after just two days of training, were able to use it intuitively.”

Key features that improved efficiency:

• Motorized Turntable: Enables 360-degree imaging, essential for documenting three-dimensional objects like sculptures and tools.
• Intuitive Software: Allows easy adjustments to lighting, angles, and background removal.
• IQ Mask Technology: Automatically removes backgrounds while preserving natural shadows, creating professional-quality images instantly.
• Adjustable Lighting: Ensures optimal illumination for different materials, from reflective metals to delicate textiles.
• Custom Templates: Standardizes settings for consistent image quality across various materials.
• Overhead Camera Placement: Functions as a large-scale scanner for flat objects like paintings and inventory books.

Increased Efficiency and Global Access

Since implementing Orbitvu’s solution, the museum has significantly increased its productivity. What once took hours to photograph and edit manually can now be completed in minutes.

Standardized high-quality images have simplified the creation of digital catalogs and online archives, allowing the museum to showcase its collection globally. Digital accessibility means researchers, educators, and the general public can engage with artifacts remotely, increasing outreach and educational opportunities.

Why Automated Photography Matters for Museums

The Museum in Tarnowskie Góry’s success story highlights the broader importance of automated photography for cultural institutions:

• Preserving Artifacts Digitally: High-resolution images serve as a digital backup, protecting artifacts from damage or loss.
• Enhancing Public Access: Online collections make cultural heritage available to wider audiences worldwide.
• Streamlining Collection Management: Automated photography simplifies cataloging and inventory tracking.
• Improving Educational and Promotional Efforts: High-quality images can be used for exhibitions, research, and outreach programs.

The Future of Museum Digitization

The collaboration between Orbitvu and the Museum in Tarnowskie Góry demonstrates how technology can revolutionize artifact preservation. As more museums embrace automation, digitization will continue to play a crucial role in safeguarding cultural heritage for future generations.

For museums and institutions looking to improve their digitization efforts, Orbitvu offers a proven path to efficiency and excellence. Contact us today to explore how our automated solutions can help preserve and promote your collection.

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