SnapLab Research Group

In archaeology and cultural heritage studies, digital photography and three-dimensional (3D) surface modelling from photos are essential documentation techniques.

Although everyone has a digital camera in their pocket and affordable image-based 3D modelling software is ubiquitous, both technologies' underlying principles are often poorly understood.That is why the SnapLab research group was established in 2025 at the University of Vienna.

SnapLab wants to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and services for cultural heritage photography and image-based 3D modelling (IBM). More specifically,

• SnapLab wants to unite people with diverse expertise and scholarly goals to discuss and learn about these topics, typically – but not exclusively – for cultural heritage purposes. During monthly gatherings, scholars can present their finished projects or ideas, exchange insights, or discuss logistical and technical issues related to ongoing or upcoming photography or IBM undertakings.
• SnapLab aims to build a pool of equipment that interested scholars can lend out for their photographic or IBM projects.
• SnapLab strives to become an international knowledge centre for all technical aspects of photography, with online databases that aggregate all well- and lesser-known specifications of cameras and lenses (such as sensor spectral sensitivity curves, camera colour matrices or lens MTF curves). Over time, SnapLab also hopes to facilitate testing cameras and lenses to obtain this information.