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Photographing
Your Artwork: Five Common Mistakes and What You Can Do to Correct Them.
By Kit Miracle, Artist and Visual
Arts Director, Jasper Arts Center
Every artist has heard that good
photographs of their artwork are critical, but many really don’t seem to
comprehend just how important good images are. Although I’ve been a
professional artist for over 23 years, it wasn’t until the past six
years as Visual Arts Director at the Jasper Arts Center that I came to
realize just how important good photographs of artwork can be. Between
our annual juried show and portfolio review, plus one year as a panelist
on the Indiana Arts Commission, I have reviewed thousands of slides and
digital images. The following are the most common errors that I see.
·
Out of focus – This is the most
common mistake that I see and is often caused by moving the camera as
you squeeze the button. To check out the focus of your slides, actually
put them in a projector and blow them up. This problem may not be
apparent by just holding them up to the light. I suggest buying a
tripod which you can find for about $30 at most discount stores. If
you’re really shaky, then buy a bulb squeeze trigger, too. Also
practice on focusing through the lens of your camera. Many will turn
and have special crosshairs that show when you are in focus.
·
Under or over exposure – This
problem is usually due to poor lighting conditions. If you’re using
tungsten film, then you need 3200 K lights. If you’re shooting outdoors,
then choose an overcast day or shoot in the shade. Most 35 mm cameras
have automatic light meters but you should “bracket your shots.” This
means shooting a few F-stops above and below what the meter tells you to
do. If you’re taking digital shots, then you can easily adjust the
brightness and contrast in your camera program on your computer.
·
Skewed images - This means your
image looks slanted rather than square or rectangle. Here, again, is
where a tripod can help. After you have hung your painting on the wall
or bulletin board, make sure that your camera is perpendicular to the
image. Some of the more expensive tripods have levels in them, but you
can purchase a small photographer’s level to sit on top of your lens
while you set up. Make sure the sides of your painting are square with
the viewfinder of your camera. If you are taking a digital image, you
can correct this problem in a computer program like Corel Paint Shop
Pro.
·
Other objects appearing in the
frame – I have seen photographs with hands, feet, sofas, brick walls,
the garage door and even the family pet in them. NO NO NO!!!! Your
image should only show your artwork. If you are making standard size
work, then you can cut several black mats of the sizes you normally use
and temporarily mat your work to photograph it. The surrounding black
will not show when the image is projected and will provide nice, clean
lines. If your work is not the matted type, then you may wish to use a
background cloth of flat (not shiny) black or dark grey cloth. If you
are shooting a digital image, then you simply crop out all the
extraneous objects.
·
Not labeling your work – Many
artists neglect to put their names or information about their work on
their slides or CDs. Since all images are projected the same size, a 9
x 12 appears the same as a 36 x 48. Jurors will often ask about the
medium or the size of the piece. Make sure you following labeling
instructions for your work which is usually listed on the prospectus.
There are many professional
photographers who can take great shots of your artwork but they are
often quite expensive. Most artists, with a little care and practice,
can take excellent images themselves. This is becoming even easier with
digital cameras and photo-editing programs. Slides will soon be going
the way of the rotary dial phone.
For more information, check out
Russell Hart’s Photographing Your
Artwork or Steve Meltzer, at
www.stevefotos.com. If you
live in the hinterlands as I do, you can still order all your
photography needs from that wonderful store in New York, B&H Photos.
Check them out at www.bhphotovideo.com.
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