Photographing your Artwork | Contemporary Art Awards

Photographing your Artwork: Take your Art to the next Level

For artists who create paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, illustrations, textiles, and installations, it is vital to document and photograph your work well. A great photo can often mean the difference between being accepted into an exhibition, exposure, receiving a grant, or selling your artwork. Accordingly, here are a few tips when photographing your next artwork.

For best results, photograph your artwork outside on overcast days (preferably facing north, indirect light is best). If you need help with directions, download a compass app on your phone.
If you own an easel, use this to hold your artwork in place.
This is a trick I adopted for photographing indoors - buy two sheets of 6mm MDF or ply (sizes will depend on your artwork), paint them both white. Against a wall, lay one sheet on the floor, then butt the other piece on top. Place your artwork in front (see figure 1). For 2D and 3D artwork examples (see figure 2 and 3).
Photograph you work without the frame or with the glass in the frame.Use a tripod, if you do not own one, make sure you have a steady hand (see figure 2).
The angle of your camera must match the tilt of your artwork (see figure 4).
Turn the flash off.
Crop all your images by using a photo editing software or an app.
- I recommend obtaining a Creative Cloud membership plan to access Adobe desktop applications such as Photoshop.
  - Individuals, Student and Teachers - $9.99 monthly instalments (Includes Photoshop & Lightroom).
- If you do not know how to use Photoshop, Youtube is a wonderful teacher; it has thousands of videos with step-by- step instructions.