NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

I am helping a friend catalog her deceased son's Egyptian collection of art and statues etc. I was think of using a cardboard box to isolate the smaller items.

Any suggestions would be appreciated ( I do not have a light box)

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Input "diy light box" after clicking 'Search' at the top of this page.

Or, use the same terms in Google/Bing.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

NJ, what kind of objects are they? What are they made out of? Are they shiny, 3D, or flat? At least those would make a difference to me. SS

NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

Sharpshooter I have seen the items yet, I do know there are two full size sarcophagi. The only other info I is there is lots of pieces.

Are you interested in buying or just seeing the photos?

Normanc Loc: Manchester UK

Hello Jim,
I read your message regarding the Egyptian Art and Relics. It is a great idea to photograph all the items, so that the lady concerned will have permanent reminder. However, there is one aspect that causes me great concern. I have studied Ancient Egypt for many years and am well aware of the fact that over the years many artifacts were removed illegally from Egypt. May I please respectfully suggest that the lady concerned may wish to contact Dr Zawai Hawas , Supreme Head of Antiquities, at the Cairo Museum. He has spent many years trying to have relics returned to their rightful place at the Cairo museum. I am sure that Dr Hawas would be only too willing to advise on their authenticity or otherwise, and arrange for them to be returned to Egypt.
I am sure that you did not expect a response like this. and, may be the articles you describe are copies. However, I hope that you will accept this message in the spirit that it was sent. Thank you. Norman

NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

No worries Norman, I can let her know about this.

barryb Loc: Kansas

I have been to the Cairo museum, twice, and they have no room to display any new items there, period. I did find it interesting that someone in the UK would suggest that one should return item to Egypt, when Egypt has been requesting the British museum return countless items for decades, but they have declined. I am certain that Egypt might like to have relics returned, but I don't see any real chance that they would be properly displayed in the Cairo museum in this century, as they have been working to build a new museum for years, but are no further along than pouring the footings of the building, and there is little chance of any change in that progress. As for your original question, you can either purchase an inexpensive light box, with fabric on 4 sides, or make yourself one with sheets, to diffuse the light for fairly decent pictures.

ggttc Loc: TN

good idea...just made a diy lightbox from some plans found on google...and it works great...depends on the size of most of the objects.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I am interested only in how you might photograph them. But like product photography, each item may require a very different approach. Without seeing anything, you might consider using high key lighting for everything. At least it will all be consistant.
When in college, since I always had a camera, I did a lot of artifact photography, both in the Lowie Museum and in the field. SS