About the Imaging Lab
The Imaging Lab provides the College of Design with the resources and support to work with digital photography and video. The lab offers studio space and our team is available to educate and assist students, faculty, and staff with a wide variety of technological resources. We are also available to photograph and record video of events as capacity permits.
Hours & Locations
Rapson Hall, Room 125
Hours
Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturdays, 12:00–5:00 PM
Sundays, 1:00–9:00 PM
The Rapson Hall location is set up with 3–4 workstations to document large projects. Lights and backgrounds are available. Backgrounds are black fabric and white seamless paper.
McNeal Hall, Room 244
Hours
The McNeal lab is open by appointment only. To schedule a session please email lead photography technician Samuel Reed.
The McNeal location is designed for small projects such as packaging design and for photographing apparel design projects. Lights and backgrounds are available. One workstation allows a student to utilize the space for a range of subjects.
Services
- Documenting Work
- Event Photography & Video
- Livestreaming (BETA)
- A/V Support for Events
- Expertise & Consultation
We provide the space and equipment needed to document student work, and our equipment can also be checked out for classroom use. Offsite use of equipment may be possible as workload permits.
If you have an event that you would like photographed or recorded, we are happy to assist with your needs. It is important to note that we receive a lot of requests, so if possible, please consider alternative means of recording or capturing your event (using digital copies of work instead of photographs, considering if smartphone photos/video are adequate for your event, and so on).
If scheduling with us, please do the following:
- Email us at least one week in advance of the event.
- Ensure the requestor is present before the event to answer imaging lab staff questions, help with sound check, etc.
- Bear in mind that we do our best to accommodate all requests but scheduling conflicts do happen.
- Know that turnaround time varies depending on the amount of photos/video to be processed, amount of processing required, and balancing the priority of all projects.
- Please let us know your time frame and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Livestreaming is a BETA service. We cannot provide it in all locations and the quality may vary.
We offer A/V support for events held in Rapson courtyard and McNeal atrium. All other areas, please contact 1-HELP for basic A/V troubleshooting.
Our staff are available to educate and assist students and faculty with a wide variety of technological resources. We are also available for consultation about photographic problems and will provide advice and equipment where needed to help College of Design students photograph their own work.
Equipment
Cameras
| Camera | Sony A7R III | Sony A7R II | Sony A7R II | Lumix GH4 | Nikon D7200 | Nikon D7100 | Nikon D7000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Full Frame Mirrorless | Full Frame Mirrorless | Full Frame Mirrorless | M4/3 Mirrorless | APS-C | APS-C | APS-C |
| Resolution | 7952x5304 | 7952x5304 | 7952x5304 | 4608x3456 | 6000x4000 | 6000x4000 | 4928x3264 |
| MP | 42.4 | 42.4 | 42.4 | 16.05 | 24.2 | 24.1 | 16.2 |
| Video | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Tripods
The Imaging Lab houses a variety of tripods with a wide spectrum of applications for use in and out of the lab. Check with the lab attendant for availability.
Scanners
Both scanners are similar to those available in the College of Design Computer Lab. The Image Lab scanners are ideal for scanning printed photographs.
| Epson Expression 10000XL | EpsonV700 Photo |
|---|---|
| Professional-grade scanner | Medium & large format 35mm negatives & slides |
| Maximum scan area: 12.2" x 17.2" | Maximum size: A4 8.5x11.7 |
| Maximum resolution: 12,800 x 12,800 dpi | Maximum resolution: 600 dpi |
Copy Stand
For work that students would like photographed from an aerial perspective, the copy stand offers an easy hands-free set up. Simply mount a desired camera to capture image. Ideal for work that is too large to be scanned or for books and sketches.
Photography Techniques
Standard 3-Point Lighting
This set-up is the easiest way to achieve the best quality image using the equipment available in the Imaging Lab. Use a spotlight as your key light and a Rifa softbox light as your fill light.
Policies
- The Imaging Lab is for use by currently registered students in the College of Design documenting course related projects. No commercial use is allowed.
- The Imaging Lab is staffed daily to educate and assist students and faculty with a wide variety of technological resources they may use within their coursework and classes. The lab's staff is available for consultation about photographic problems and will provide advice and equipment where needed to help College of Design students photograph their own work.
- Equipment may be checked out for up to 3 hours maximum.
- Each student is responsible for cleaning up the studio space they use. The Imaging Lab will not store models, scrap, or other disposable items left behind. Attendant will clear out space and will place any items outside of the lab near the trash at the end of the night.
Using the Lab
- Check in with imaging lab attendant and sign in on the clipboard. If the attendant is occupied or not at the desk please wait patiently by the desk for assistance.
- Tell the attendant what type of equipment you need or explain what you need to photograph. Sign out equipment on the clipboard.
- When done photographing, unplug any lights and wind up cords neatly. Return any of the equipment on the clipboard.
- Use card reader and imaging lab computer to upload images to Google Drive or personal computer.
