PhotogrammetryPhotogrammetry 

Photogrammetry is a process where a collection of photographs are used to create a three-dimensional model. This is done by capturing photos of any physical object from many different angles, which a computer can then use to determine the 3D shape of the object and build a digital model of it.

Photogrammetry works in various situations and at many different scales. Whether we are using under a hundred images to make a model of a small object or using thousands of photos of a boat or archaeological site, we know we are capturing an accurate digital representation of the physical word. 

These 3D models are used for many different reasons across the museum, such as:

• Accessibility
• Education and outreach
• Exhibition design and interpretation
• Conservation
• Research and archaeology

Other techniques, such as structured light scanning, can also used by the museum from time to time, but a major advantage of photogrammetry is that It gives us accurate colours and patterns. Because of this, it is our preferred technique for creating 3D models of our museum artefacts and we are regularly updating our publicly accessible online collection.

Digital models provide an opportunity for our visitors of all ages to interact with objects both online and in our exhibition spaces. 

It creates opportunities for people to see every angle of an object and unlock deeper stories that you can't always fit on an object label. Our museum curators can provide additional insights with annotations to the models, pointing out interesting features that could otherwise be overlooked. We also can use them as part of structured learning activities, such as the Mystery Shipwreck unit of work for high school students. 

Photogrammetry can also allow us to showcase objects that are not currently on display and continue telling the stories online after the exhibition has closed. 

Photogrammetry is a fantastic way for museums, arts and cultural organisations to give us a more detailed insight into our collection, creating a digital record of the state of an objects in order to plan how to take care of them in the future. It allows us to zoom into details that are otherwise difficult to see, helps us keep note of areas that might need additional attention, and gives us something to compare the object to in the future. 

This has been particularly useful for our fleet team as ships and boats are often very complicated objects, with sections that are difficult to access or even underwater. Historically we have had to reply on drawings and plans but 3D photogrammetry helps us record both above and below water areas in high resolution. 

Photogrammetry is used by archaeologists and researches as it can even be used to record underwater sites such as shipwrecks. While diving on a wreck site, photos can be taken with a waterproof camera to capture an accurate representation of what is visible at that moment in time. This is particularly important as the underwater environments are constantly changing and different sections of a wreck are often covered or uncovered by the movement of the ocean, and can degrade over time.   

This become a useful tool in addition to traditional site plan drawing as the photogrammetry can capture complex shapes and provide fairly accurate measurements. It however does need to be completed on top of manual measurements and drawings as large areas of sand or seagrass can be difficult for the computer to calculate, so the combination of techniques will give the most accurate results.   

It is also often used to record artefacts from archaeological sites. It can assist us to examine and learn about objects which are too fragile or damaged to be regularly handled, and can be a useful way to record the state of objects before they receive conservation treatments. For example, a wooden object retrieved from underwater, will shrink as it dies and this may slightly change the shape of the artefact and how it fits together with other pieces. 

Photogrammetry provides opportunities for deeper storytelling using our museum objects. We can closely examine objects, create narratives using annotations, and reveal hidden details using different views.  We can dive beneath the waves and see what our vessels look like below the surface 

These 3D models are interactive, helping viewers connect with artefacts that are otherwise behind glass or locked in a storeroom. Whether you are in a classroom or across the other side of the country, they provide a useful resource for study, or to simply satisfy our curiosities about these links to the past. 

While digitising the whole collection is an impossible task, the museum is dedicated to growing our online gallery and continue to utilise the newest technology to create even more detailed 3D models in the future.