How about white tac? | Forum — The Modern Antiquarian

Rombald’s Moor 8

Image by Chris Collyer

Calling RombaldII

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RombaldII Jun 23, 2005 11:05:11

Replying to fitzcoraldo

I still believe that some indication of what is there should be included in at least one photograph. PRAWR is IMO very bad at that, for the less impressive stones. Many have only a description, and I have found the illustrations while no doubt correct, do not give a good impression.

How about using white tac to indicate what is there (same as Blue Tac but white) the idea is to outline things with small blobs of white tac to show the outline of whatever one finds, photograph it and remove the white tac which comes off dead easy.
Delicate is the last word I would use the describe Millstone grit which is IME *very* strong and tough.

Many thanks for the concrete suggestions among the flames ;-) I will deal with wach individually

Paint with Water. Worth a try on the rare occasions when we have dry rock, I'll give it a whirl

Sketch cups and rings. Non starter. My artistic ability is close to zero.

Use low angle evening light. Limits the number of rocks which can be recorded in a day to one. Even with off camera slave flash there are some places where the prehistoric work is only detectable by feel and invisible to low angle light

rocknicker Jun 23, 2005 11:10:53

Replying to RombaldII

>>>How about using white tac to indicate what is there (same as Blue Tac but white)

Not really keen on that idea myself...

Jane Jun 23, 2005 14:09:56

Replying to RombaldII

... a photographic technique of using a reflector on one side and a damper on the other to control the fall of light onto the rock might work.

Your reflector need be no more than a sheet of silver or gold card (cost about a quid from an art materials shop) on one side and a sheet of matt black card (cost about a quid from an art materials shop). Simply hold them in place, or peg them or get someone else to hold them, until you have brought up the relief on the stones. This way you don't even have to touch the stones.

Using reflectors would work even better if you watered the stones first.

Good luck!

Hob Jun 23, 2005 14:36:22

Replying to RombaldII

Jane's reflector suggestion has serious merit. It can be a bit iffy in high ambient light conditions, but the whole idea of directing the light is well worth pursuing.

I've had limited success with trying the opposite to Jane's suggestion, by trying to cover over all but one side of a carving. It made me look ridiculous, trying to take a photo of a rock with me coat over me head, but hey, so it goes. I've even contemplated dragging a scanner and a laptop and trying scanography.

It's a problem that will be solved eventually.

I know what you mean about ropey photos. Hmm, rope. It's a throwaway thought, but would thin rope/thick string be useful to outline a motif? Probably not, it'd be a right pain having to cut it to the right length for each rock. But, it could be day-glo, which would stand out nicely. Shurrup Hob.

Lubin Jun 23, 2005 22:39:53

Replying to RombaldII

Why not try rubbing some earth to form an outline.I have used peat a few times on Dartmoor and it worked a treat,and washes off with the first rain.

Peace, Lubin