Digitization, Digital Restoration and Presentation of old photographs

<< Background >>The motives of the project encompass the public recognition of the need for an engaged supranational dialogue with a specific working format and focus aimed at solving issues of mutual interest related to digitization, digital restoration and presentation of old photographs as an engine for sustainable cultural development and strengthening European partnerships and cooperation between educational institutions (VET), libraries, photo archives, photo studios, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), etc.The subjects of the photographs provide information that creates an impact related to aesthetics, history and science, making them not only a mirror of technological progress, but also a proven part of the world's cultural and historical heritage. Globalization requires rapid access to information and communications.Many old photographs are in poor condition and poorly exposed, increasing the risk of damage. Little is done in terms of protection as most institutions do not have experts.The project aims to initiate, support and implement activities, offer guides, modules, programs, training films that meet the needs of the target group as well as build cooperation mechanisms to develop skills for digital restoration of old photos.<< Objectives >>Digital Restoration Lab is a project with the main goal of systematizing, integrating and disseminating modern practices for restoration, digitization, digital restoration and presentation of old photographs. The partner consortium is committed to creating training resources, a film and guide, an open online learning platform and a communication channel that will open new perspectives to the cultural and educational sector in the respective countries, as a way to raise the level of knowledge and skills for the digitization of old photographs.The project will increase the competences of the target group related to the digitization of photographs, acquiring knowledge and skills for digital restoration at low prices; will improve capabilities to use open educational resources; will increase the capacity of experts in large cultural and educational institutions (VET, schools, libraries, archives, museums) to train colleagues from small organizations.The most valuable priority of the project is the inclusion of photographic collections in the digital European information fund in accordance with the EU requirements for access to information, for the preservation and extension of the life of specialized photo collections.<< Implementation >>1. An educational film was created on the topic of Maintaining originals and digital data of photographs. In preparation for the film, scripts, storyboards were prepared, separate parts were shot, combined into one, and post-production was carried out.2. A manual for Digitization, Digital restoration and exhibition of old photographs has been prepared and printed. A work plan was developed, research was done and key themes were selected, a design template was created, polytran drafts were prepared, hard copies were sent to partners.3. An Open Flexible Learning System has been built and is self-learning. In the course of creation, a test system was implemented, the materials were integrated into it and the system was tested.4. Training seminars, a conference, an interactive exhibition were held and a scientific collection with the reports from the conference was published. For these events, the tasks were distributed among the partners in advance, advertising materials were designed, printed, a strict organization of the events was created and they were held.Online meetings were held every month and five working meetings were held in the partner countries.A Risk Management Plan and a Quality Management Plan have been prepared<< Results >>1. Created an educational film dedicated to the subject of Digitization, Digital Restoration and Presentation of old photographs consisting of six parts covering the visual part of the process.2. A manual for Digitization, Digital Restoration and Presentation of old books has been compiled providing complete information on the topics.3. An Open Flexible Learning System platform has been developed for self-study with training modules, examples, questionnaires and additional resources.4. Six training seminars were held, where all the products were presented and the guests were involved in the digitization process.5. A conference was held with lecturers, scientific specialists in the area and international guests.6. An interactive exhibition was held with established authors presenting different approaches to the presentation of old digitally restored photographs7. A collection of 50 reports sent to the conference on the subject was compiled.