Studio Newly Found Fossils

[Kodiak Qc]

•


I met one of the girls at the marsh last October. She is, as are
her three friends, students at the Archeology department and
they came to have photos of their new finds.

— "Nothing extraordinary… such fossils are well documented
but these are our own and our first." she explained.

Used to work on old Roman or Celts sites throughout Austria,
these accidental finds were seen as welcomed change.

The fish is about 28 cm long and the horrifying jaw under 11 cm.

 

[PhilH04]

Lit from the right direction too Maybe a discrete scale could be included, shot in the main plane of focus (That is the scientific photographer in me). I can't help but feel a little more detail in the darker areas of the fish would be beneficial...

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Lit from the right direction too

Not really, Phil, there was only one light source at 12:00… for the fish
as required, but, yes, two on the jaws.

Maybe a discrete scale could be included

I was setting a scale when I was told that this is for private purpose.

a little more detail in the darker areas of the fish would be beneficial...

I offered some suggestions prior and post SR and this was the adopted
solution.


Though these will be stored at the uni, they all wished to have a framed
set of picture for their homes.

 

[PhilH04]

Not really, Phil, there was only one light source at 12:00… for the fish
as required, but, yes, two on the jaws.

Like I said the scientific photographer in me, scientific precedence dictates lighting from top left.

I was setting a scale when I was told that this is for private purpose.

Indeed, with digital we found the best way was to image our scale separately, the scientist could then have the image with or without a scale but could always calculate the precise magnification (back in the days of film we printed at a precise magnification for science publications.

I offered some suggestions prior and post SR and this was the adopted
solution.

Understood, like I said just my background (Maybe I should point out I was a full time photographer at the Natural History Museum in London for 35yrs, most of those as a Senior Scientific Photographer... I have photographed many fossils along with all sorts of other specimens)

Always a pleasure to see this sort of image particularly when they have been executed well, as you have done so. (I do see some dreadful examples)

Best wishes....

 

[Kodiak Qc]

scientific precedence dictates lighting from top left.

Document quality is paramount for me and this shot
cried for that light because of the deeper edges at
the top designing the shape of the fish much better.

I was a full time Senior Scientific Photographer

That's how I started, as SP, but I switched. at the end
of my studies. to international geopolitic assignments.

Always a pleasure to see this sort of image particularly when they have been executed well, as you have done so

Well, thanks you very much Sir!

 

[holty]

lovely shots

 

[Lemaildetom]

The first is a really beautiful specimen.
Do you you have any info on the second one, what is it? And is it "as it came out", the matrix looks like it's been added. But what scale, what beast, what aged is it?

What is the connection with archaeology?

 

[Kodiak Qc]

The first is a really beautiful specimen.

It is, I was impressed. I still don't know more than it was a fish.

Do you you have any info on the second one, what is it? And is it "as it came out", the matrix looks like it's been added. But what scale, what beast, what aged is it? What is the connection with archaeology?

The only connection to archeology, Thomas, it that these were found
by students in that subject.

At this point, I measured the second at less than 11 cm but I know
nothing more… nor do the students at this point but will learn more
in the next weeks, I hope… I was told that these are not rarities as
species.

As it happens often, one is looking for something and finds other things.

 

[PhilH04]

The Jaw looks to be a marine reptile, something like a small Mosasaur... The matrix does indeed look to be a composite and not natural... also the fish has the 'look' of a prepared specimen, do they have the counterpart by any chance?

So both specimens I believe have been through a preparators hands and not straight out the ground, but you only have the info you were given and certainly does not detract from the photography.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

you only have the info you were given and certainly does not detract from the photography.

Yes, Phil, I have a sweet spot for anything science
but I am possibly not as passionate as you may be
in fossiles.

Sure, these went through some kind of preparation
and I am not aware of what is with the other half …
just the photographer.

 

[Lemaildetom]

So both specimens I believe have been through a preparators hands and not straight out the ground, but you only have the info you were given and certainly does not detract from the photography.

Exactly what i thought!
Wondered if they had come out of some antiquarian archive or something similar.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

Wondered if they had come out of some antiquarian archive or something similar.

The finds were already in the right lab when I met her,
the fossils were well taken care of.