CyArk and Phase One Partner to Preserve the World’s Cultural Heritage

CyArk, a non-profit organization dedicated to digitally recording, archiving and sharing the world’s cultural heritage, is partnering with Phase One, the world-leading provider of medium format digital photography systems and imaging solutions to capture, process, render and preserve cultural history with unprecedented visual accuracy.

This partnership enables CyArk to more effectively capture and process photographic data, greatly increasing the quality and consistency of its digital records and results. Phase One is providing CyArk with its 100 Megapixel XF Camera System and Capture One software which together offer higher detail and greater accuracy of color and texture, as CyArk documents every surface of a building. The digital photos will be integral to preserving records of culturally significant sites, thanks to modern advances in software that combine lidar with photography to render 3D models.

A CyArk project can capture more than a thousand photographs per day in the field. However, in contrast with leading full frame cameras, the XF Camera system offers a much greater sensor size, higher resolution, better color accuracy, and strong dynamic range which reduces the number of photographs required to document a historic site. Reliability and extraordinary image quality are also realised by virtue of Phase One’s completely electronic shutter and seismographic vibration delay modes, effectively eliminating the possibility of shutter failure and motion blur in the field.

CyArk has kicked off this partnership with a project at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and the indigenous Maori people in 1840, considered the most significant historic site in New Zealand. The Phase One XF Camera System was used to capture the intricate Maori carvings on the site, as well as other culturally significant pieces of art and performance. The data captured will be used to create accurate architectural drawings and plans which will support the nomination of the site for UNESCO World Heritage status.

“We are thrilled to have Phase One join CyArk as a partner,” said John Ristevski, CyArk’s CEO. “Capturing high resolution and accurate imagery is an essential part of our process and we are thrilled to be working with the leaders in digital medium format photography to provide our teams with the best tools to accomplish our mission”.

“Cultural heritage preservation projects are important to us all, and Phase One is proud to partner with CyArk, a leading pioneer to support their work,” said Ziv Argov, general manager of Phase One.