The following 10 tips for taking better pictures of your artwork will help you to take better pictures of your artwork.
Tip
Picture framing is a great way to display your artwork, but it can also be tricky. Properly framing your artwork can really enhance the presentation and make for a better piece overall. Take a look at these 10 tips for framing your art and getting it just right.
TIP 1: Frame Your Artwork Wisely
Be sure to choose the appropriate frame for your artwork. You want to choose a frame that will highlight the best features of the art while not overshadowing them with too much detail or an overly elaborate design. Keep in mind that simpler is often better when choosing frames for your artwork. The overall design should compliment rather than compete with the art itself. The color of the wood should match both the frame and the painting or print inside it so that you do not draw attention away from the art itself.
Tip 2: Use Mats to Protect Your Artwork
Framed prints and paintings are generally protected best by using mats around the actual print or piece of art. A mat will protect from accidental bumps or anything else that could damage it during shipping or in storage or display. By choosing mats that are acid-free, you can ensure that you are keeping your artwork safe from any harm due to exposure to chemicals. Also make sure that you choose a mat that
Taking pictures of your artwork can be very tricky, especially if you’re using a digital camera. There are many things to consider when taking pictures of your artwork, from lighting to the background and even having the right lens for the job.
TIP 1: White surfaces reflect light. If you want to take a picture of an original work on white paper, you should use a flash or reflector to avoid distracting reflections. TIP 2: Avoid small items in large spaces. The larger the object, the smaller it will appear in your shot. If you have a small object, make sure that it is surrounded by objects of similar size and color, as well as clutter-free areas. TIP 3: Use props in your shots. You can use all kinds of props to create interest and draw attention to certain parts of your work of art or photography. TIP 4: Don’t be afraid to use close-ups in your shots. Close-up shots can show the fine details like texture, color and pattern better than wider shots. TIP 5: Find the focal point in each shot. The focal point is what draws your eye into a shot. This can be extremely important when taking pictures of artwork because viewers want to see what is important about an image in
1. Carefully consider and compose your shot.
2. Take your time.
3. Look for interesting details and features in your artwork.
4. Use natural light whenever possible, as this is the most flattering and dramatic lighting for artworks.
5. Find a clean, clutter-free background for your artwork that is appropriate to its content and style (in other words, don’t photograph a painting on top of your dirty kitchen table).
6. Use the rule of thirds to arrange the elements within the frame of the picture (for example, place the subject off center).
7. Make sure that your camera is set up to give you optimal focus and clarity; this will make a big difference when viewing your art online or in print media.
8. Choose a clear, neutral background for your image; this will allow the viewer’s eye to focus on the subject of the image (your artwork).
9. If shooting several works in one session, avoid mixing different styles and media together in one composition: it just doesn’t work! (Unless you have an exhibition concept…then, by all means go ahead!)
10. Have fun…it’s not rocket science!
I recently had the honor of being selected as one of the featured artists in an online gallery at Neatorama. This was a great honor, and I enjoyed the experience immensely. In fact, just writing this post brings back fond memories of that experience.
Towards the end of my exhibition, however, I did notice something interesting. A few people with comments about my work expressed a desire to see more detailed images of several pieces, particularly one piece entitled “White Raven.” I thought about it for a few days and finally took the plunge and agreed to let a talented photographer take professional photographs of that piece.
As soon as I made that decision, I began reviewing the other art pieces on display and made another interesting observation. Each piece that had enhanced photographs received many more page views than those without clear photographs.
I’m always interested in improving my craft so what would be the harm in trying out some different approaches to photographing my artwork? Here are some things I learned:
1.) Less is more
2.) The best camera is the one you have with you
3.) Lighting is an art form
4.) Tripod or no tripod?
5.) Take your time!
6.) Don’t forget about Macro!
7.) Zoom vs
As an artist, you know how important it is to make sure your work looks great in photographs. The art world is not like the movie business; it’s pretty hard to get famous just by winning a few film festivals. The only way to be sure you’re going to be well-known is if lots of people buy your artwork, and that means taking good pictures of it.
TIP 1: Don’t use a black background. Unless you’re going for the creepy “murdery” look (and really, who wants that?), using a black background is not recommended. Black backgrounds are very hard on the eyes, and don’t show off your work as well as other colors. Most digital cameras will have a white balance setting. This will help neutralize any color casts caused by the light around you.
**If you can, try to take pictures outside on a sunny day. Natural sunlight is the best light for photography because it won’t give your artwork a yellowish tint like many artificial lights will do. If you have no choice but to shoot indoors, try turning off all the lights in the room and shooting by daylight.**
TIP 2: Get rid of distracting backgrounds. One thing amateur photographers often do wrong is clutter up their shots with
I’m going to assume that, if you’re reading this, you’re a photographer. Maybe you’re even a professional photographer or you have aspirations to be one, or at least you’ve taken thousands of pictures and think you may have some talent in the area. If that’s the case, I’m sure there are tons of things I could say to help make your pictures better.
