Framing the Past: A work placement photographing the Heritage Collections.
From February to May 2024, the Heritage Collections welcomed Rebbecca Cram, a third-year student from the BA (Hons) in Photography, for a trimester-long work placement. As part of the placement, Rebbecca photographed unique objects from the University’s collections and took images to help promote the department’s wider work. Here, Rebecca talks about her experience of her placement.
A work placement photographing the Heritage Collections.
I worked with the Heritage Collection department from February to May as a placement for my third year studying photography at the university. After taking part in an archive-based module the previous term and interviewing prominent members of the heritage collection scene in Edinburgh I became fascinated with the industry but desired a more hands-on approach rather than an interview or a one-time thing.
Therefore, with the help of the placement team I reached out to the Heritage Collections department to enquire about a position. After exchanging emails back and forth and arranging a meeting to chat over the intentions for the placement, the Heritage Collections department welcomed me with open arms despite it being a busy time for them. Our main goals for the placement were to photograph the initial items that were to be recorded in the department’s new digital catalogue and take promotional material for the items that were to be used for student and community engagement. We met once a week for a full working day throughout the term alternating between the studio, editing and research days.
Above photos: Studio days
My most memorable part of the placement was working alongside Ian (Special Collections Manager) and Laura (Senior Curator of University Heritage Collections), their in-depth knowledge and passion for history were infectious. They shared many anecdotes about the collection items, which helped with the promotional side of the placement as I was actively learning about the items, so although I was only taking and editing the images, I believe every step was a collaborative effort. I’d often get excited about certain items that we’d be photographing in a few weeks just so I could see them in person after hearing so much about them.
The placement was a true test of my technical skills and often my patience whilst having to sift through an abundance of images that look almost identical. If I missed any signifier of the angle, the item would be recorded incorrectly. However, knowing the importance of heritage collection photography and heritage collection service as a whole and why it’s such an integral part of education and history gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence in my work.
Framing the past
Stepping into the world of Heritage Collection photography is definitely a step in the right direction for me and my career, but it was less like a step and more like a fall into a never-ending rabbit hole. One week I was doing research at home on the origins of the department and the next I was handling a taxidermied rooster in the studio or finding hidden rooms in the campus I’ve been going to for three years.
The team was always very quick to adjust to any changes in the schedule needed for me to complete my other modules, or anything new that came to fruition whilst working in the studio or editing. Prior to the placement I had no knowledge of any methods of working in a department like this other than knowing a few things about other institutions’ methods, so the team providing me with plenty of research days in the early days and frequent check-ins throughout the placement to aid this was very helpful and overall, it was a great learning experience for not just me but the department also. Through these methods and our frequent check-ins, I really got a sense of some of the realities opportunities that working in a smaller, newer department like this can offer, so I’m very pleased to have been the first of hopefully many to complete this placement with such a lovely team.
If you would like to know more about the Heritage Collections or are interested in seeing some of the items discussed above for yourself, do get in touch! All the information you’ll need to plan your visit can be found on our website.
Read more about the Heritage collections and remember you can tour Merchiston Tower
By Rebecca Cram