Museum Digitization: how Orbitvu helped the Museum in Tarnowskie Góry preserve cultural heritage

The challenge: digitization in a space-constrained museum

The Museum in Tarnowskie Góry is a cornerstone of cultural preservation in Poland, with collections divided into three departments:
History Department features artifacts related to local mining, historic maps, municipal documents, old prints, and military relics.
Ethnography Department showcases folk costumes, jewelry, furniture, tools, and everyday items from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Art Department includes housing paintings, metalwork, handicrafts, and contemporary art created by local artists.

While the collection’s diversity is impressive, it also poses a significant challenge for digitization. Artifacts range in size, material, and condition, requiring a flexible yet precise photography setup to capture their details accurately. Adding to this complexity, the museum lacked a dedicated photography studio. All the images were previously taken by external photographers or in rented studios, leading to inconsistent results, slow turnaround times, and increased costs.

According to Beata Kiszel, Director of the Museum in Tarnowskie Góry, the need for a comprehensive digitization solution was critical:

“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.”

How Orbitvu’s automated solutions became a game-changer in artifact digitization

To address these challenges, the museum adopted the Alphashot XL—a state-of-the-art automated product photography device from Orbitvu. This studio is designed to capture high-quality images of a wide range of objects, making it ideal for museums that need to photograph artifacts varying in size, shape, and material.

Unlike traditional manual setups, the Alphashot XL integrates hardware and software to deliver professional-grade images with minimal effort.

Beata Kiszel said the Alphashot XL was the perfect fit: “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 of the Alphashot XL that transformed the process

• Motorized turntable

Captures 360-degree images, allowing artifacts to be photographed from every angle with precision. This feature is particularly useful for documenting three-dimensional objects like sculptures, tools, and decorative items.

• Intuitive software

Simplifies the workflow, allowing staff to adjust lighting, angles, and background removal with ease.

• IQ Mask for background-free photos

IQ Mask technology instantly removes the background of a photo while capturing it, and at the same time, it detects natural shadows to make the final image look natural.

• Adjustable lighting

Provides customizable lighting settings to ensure optimal illumination for various materials, from reflective metals to delicate textiles.

• Custom templates

Standardizes settings for different artifact types, ensuring consistent image quality across diverse materials like wood, metal, glass, and fabric.

• Overhead camera placement

Converts the device into a large-scale scanner, ideal for flat objects like paintings and inventory books.

The perks of using automated solutions

Since implementing Orbitvu’s solution, the museum has experienced a dramatic increase in productivity. What once took hours to photograph and edit manually can now be completed in minutes.

Additionally, the uniformity in image quality has simplified the creation of digital catalogs and online archives, making it easier for the museum to showcase its collection to a global audience.

The ability to display high-quality images of artifacts online opens new opportunities for museums to engage with a broader audience, attract visitors, and collaborate with researchers and educators worldwide.

Why automated product photography matters for museums

The Museum in Tarnowskie Góry’s success story illustrates the broader importance of automated product photography for cultural institutions. Museums, libraries, and archives worldwide can benefit from adopting similar technology to:

Preserve artifacts digitally

High-resolution images serve as a digital backup, protecting artifacts' visual and historical integrity in case of physical damage or loss.

Increase public access to art

Digital collections make cultural heritage accessible to a wider audience, including those who may not have the opportunity to visit in person.

Streamline collection management

Automated photography solutions simplify cataloging and inventory management, making tracking and maintaining large collections easier.

Enhance educational and promotional efforts

High-quality images can be used in educational programs, exhibitions, and promotional materials, helping to engage and inspire the public.

The future of art

The collaboration between Orbitvu and the Museum in Tarnowskie Góry showcases the transformative power of technology in cultural preservation. As more museums embrace automated solutions, the future of artifact digitization looks brighter than ever.

If your museum or organization is ready to elevate its digitization efforts, Orbitvu’s automated photography solutions offer a proven path to efficiency and excellence. Contact our experts to learn how we can help you preserve and promote your collection for future generations.

Discover how Orbitvu can revolutionize your digitization process. Contact us today and take the first step toward preserving your cultural heritage with cutting-edge technology.