The image quality of a slide remains unmatched in the publishing arena and as a result slides are considered by serious art researchers to be a reference source second only to the original artwork. Slides are still in use in classrooms as a quick, expedient and accurate surrogate for instant lesson/tutorial creation and viewing.
However, the digital image has become a desirable format for those using electronic teaching, and the Library has also been purchasing and creating the more expensive digital format to cater for this client need.
A 60-megabyte digital image (megafile) is the near equivalent of the amount of resolution available in a 35 mm slide scanned into digital format. Larger digital images allow the scrutiny of detail so necessary to serious art researchers, and it is desirable to ensure the image quality of this collection continues.
There is a hot debate about the comparison between digital and analogue formats in the artworld. Digital often results in a sacrifice of detail which also limits screening at a larger size. For artists tuned into the details of techniques and the accuracy of colour, this can be disconcerting and useless, especially in pared down web images. Web images are seen as a vague guide only to the appearance of an artwork as digital formats for images are still of inferior standard.
Art reproductions in print adhere to much higher standards. This is why QCA Library maintains its print journal and book collection, as well as providing access to electronic journals and books.
It will be interesting to observe how bandwidths cope with the megafiles now being created in DVD and the digital format. Larger universities in the USA have dedicated softwares and sometimes networks for visual arts education using advanced image manipulation and wavelet compression technologies to transport, use and view these art megafiles in a more timely and appropriate fashion in the electronic art classroom. This allows the viewing of vital details, and really reveals the true advantages of the digital format in a visual arts context. We also hope to create this scenario, budgets allowing.
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