Capturing Photos for Metashape Quick Guide

This guide is designed for use with a light box and turntable for small to medium sized objects.

Things you will need:

• DSLR camera (from Helpdesk)
• Tripod (from Helpdesk)
• Rotating platform (from Digital Learning & Scholarship)
• Object to be photographed
• Marker palette such as these or these (optional)
• Foam or playdough to help prop object (optional)

Step 1: Gather supplies

Check out the Canon DSLR camera and tripod from the Helpdesk. Ensure the battery, remote shutter, and SD card are included.

Obtain the rotating platform and light box from DL&S.

Step 2: Set up the light box and rotating platform from Digital Learning & Scholarship.

• Unfold the light box
• Add background color sheet (optional)
• Run lighting cables through back corners
• Secure lights at magnetic points *
• Place the platform in the center of the light box and run the cables out the back
• Test platform remote is working
• Attach marker palette to the platform (optional)

*Note about lighting: Make sure lighting is as diffused as possible. Polarized lighting is ideal but we have not yet experimented with it.

Step 3: Position your object

• Place the object in the center of the platform
• Advance the platform and check for any wobble (the object cannot move while being photographed or it will cause problems with alignment)

Step 4: Set up the camera

• Attach camera to the tripod
• Make sure the remote shutter works
• Set the camera height so it is even with the object
• Camera settings
  • Do not use zoom, but position the camera so the object and platform markers are taking up most of the frame.
  • Use aperture priority mode. It is critical that the entire object is in focus. This means you may have to adjust the aperture settings to create a deep field of view. Make sure you confirm the entire depth of the object is in focus.
  • Use the lowest ISO you can – preferably 100-200
  • Allow shutter speed to be on auto. Smaller aperture settings often mean your shutter speeds will be slow even in high light. This can make your images more susceptible to blurring if there is any motion. We recommend you use a remote shutter button to reduce camera movement.
  • Manually set white balance
  • Turn off any stabilization

Step 5: Take the first round of images

• To ensure you have plenty of overlap in your images (necessary for photogrametry) you can use the button of the platform remote marked 1/32. This turns the platform 1/32 of the way around.
• Once you advance the platform, press the remote shutter on the camera.
• You should have 32 pictures when you have completed a full rotation.

Step 6: Set up a new angle

• To capture another chunk, change the angle of the camera (maybe from straight on to 45 degree angle) or flip your object.
  • You may need to prop the object with foam or use putty (like playdough) to hold the object in the position. Get creative with how you accomplish this, but make sure your methods will not damage the object if valuable and will not interfere with the photos of the area you want to capture.
• Repeat the above steps for all angles. Keep changing angles until you have all part of your object captured. Pay special attention to overhangs and shadowed areas.