5th February 2007, 07:35 PM
Another problem may not be so much the question of copyright, but the fragility (or the perceived fragility) of old maps, books and documents. Some record offices seem reluctant to allow photcopying of any source materials.
I have discovered that in such instances a good digital camera (sans flash of course) will often take as good a copy as the local record office, poorly maintained, photcopier anyway. Certainly both the Guildhall Library and the London Metropolitan Archives will allow digital photography where they wouldn't allow photcopying (it also avoids paying the outrageous fees charged for the 'in house' copying service).
Slightly 'off' photos can often be enhanced (at least to an acceptable 'grey' literature standard) with Photoshop or similar software.
I have discovered that in such instances a good digital camera (sans flash of course) will often take as good a copy as the local record office, poorly maintained, photcopier anyway. Certainly both the Guildhall Library and the London Metropolitan Archives will allow digital photography where they wouldn't allow photcopying (it also avoids paying the outrageous fees charged for the 'in house' copying service).
Slightly 'off' photos can often be enhanced (at least to an acceptable 'grey' literature standard) with Photoshop or similar software.