Each week a new guest will talk about a @britishlibrary digital collection item using the #OurDigitalBL hashtag and explain what it means to them.

This week we are featuring our photographer Alex @BL_Digitisation!

I’m Alex, Senior Imaging Technician @britishlibrary. We digitise collection items, facing the challenges of the sizes, shapes & lighting needs of a diverse collection.

We work closely with @BL_CollCare, curators and @BL_MadeDigital to produce high-quality images #OurDigitalBL

Add MS 60629 was a challenge to image; to give the gold an even, balanced light, I placed it in a light tent with flashlights at the sides. The light was distributed evenly over the page, leading to consistent, accurate colour & exposure.
http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?index=0&ref=Add_MS_60629
#OurDigitalBL

A great part of the job is capturing items from famous people across history. I was inspired to make this gif of Galileo's signature from folio 15v of Egerton MS 48.
https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/galileos-sunspot-letters
#OurDigitalBL

Outside work, I’m an artist: the blend of art, photography & animation is very rewarding, helping me improve at work & in my own interests
http://alexwhiteartist.co.uk 
https://www.bl.uk/catalogues/illuminatedmanuscripts/record.asp?MSID=6503&CollID=58&NStart=48 f104r
#OurDigitalBL
(Voiceover © Alex White; Music: GarageBand royalty-free)

Want to know more about digitisation at the library?
Follow @BL_Digitisation to see more of our upcoming projects!

Check out https://www.bl.uk/digitisation-services
#OurDigitalBL #action=share