All Blogs articles
A recent photogrammetry training workshop at North Devon Maritime Museum offered local participants the chance to explore maritime heritage in a new and practical way.
The session focused on the museum’s collection of model ships, using them as subjects for hands-on training in photogrammetry. This technique involves taking a series of overlapping photographs of an object from different angles, which can then be processed to create a digital 3D model. For museums and community heritage projects, photogrammetry offers an accessible way to record, interpret, and share objects that may otherwise only be experienced in person.
Working with the ship models provided an ideal introduction to the process. Their intricate forms, rigging, textures, and surfaces encouraged participants to think carefully about light, angle, coverage, and detail. Rather than simply photographing an object, the workshop invited people to look closely, move around the models, and consider how each image contributes to a fuller digital record.
 (1).jpg)
Amanda of the North Devon Maritime Museum having a great time documenting the “Emma Louise” built in Barnstaple in 1883
The training also created space for discussion about the wider value of digital heritage. Participants reflected on how 3D models can help make collections more accessible, support learning, and create new ways for people to engage with local maritime history. In a coastal region where community memory, seafaring traditions, and changing environments are closely connected, digital recording offers another way to preserve and share these stories.
Importantly, the workshop was not only about technical skills. It was also about confidence, participation, and local ownership. By introducing photogrammetry in a practical and supportive setting, participants were able to develop new skills while engaging directly with objects connected to North Devon’s maritime past.
The session demonstrated how even small-scale digital training activities can open up new possibilities for heritage engagement. Through careful photography, shared learning, and collaboration, the workshop will help bring the museum’s ship models into a new digital space, while strengthening connections between local people, local collections, and the stories they hold.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the team finally found their rhythm and produced some beautiful models
The Emma Louise in dry dock at Hubbastone, as drawn by local artist Vernon Boyle. Image copyright: Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon