BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Photographing Paintings and Artwork

Mary E. Heinz		How to Photograph a Painting What's the best advice for taking a photo of a painting? To love this question, log in above 0 February 26, 2007

John H. Siskin		Hi Mary, I posted this article about copying artwork ... I hope it helps! How to Copy Artwork Thanks, John Siskin To love this comment, log in above 0 February 26, 2007

Alan N. Marcus		Hi Mary, The material must be uniformly illuminated in glare free light. If you don’t have a copy set-up, take the work outside. Place in full shade or better, wait for a highly overcast day. Always remove cover glass. Place camera on a tripod and make sure the camera is square on, dead center, perpendicular to the work. If you can’t fully eliminate glare and reflections by lighting technique, mount a polarizing filter on your camera. The filter mount must allow the filter to be rotated. As you observe through viewfinder or LCD screen, turn the filter (rotate) for maximum reflection cancellation. If this is to become routine, invest in a copy set-up. Polarizing filters on the copy stand lights as well as camera can be helpful. Can’t work outside, no copy set-up? Use ordinary pin-up lamps from the hardware store, Mount two lamps at 45° placed off to side. Increased lamp to subject distance insurers uniformity. Sometimes, with a causal set-up, bouncing the light off the ceiling is best. Alan Marcus To love this comment, log in above 0 February 26, 2007

Michael H. Cothran		Hi Mary - The good news is that you don't need any fancy equipment. Two lights is all you need - about 45° to the painting, one on each side of the camera. Furthermore, you don't even need light modifiers such as soft boxes or umbrellas. This is due to the angle of light. The secret, however, is in even illumination. You will achieve this best by using a hand meter. Take a reading from each corner of the painting, and one from the middle. Move the lights until you get the same reading from each spot. While I have a lot of fancy studio lighting, I can say from years of experience that simplicity rules in flat subjects. Michael H. Cothran To love this comment, log in above 0 February 27, 2007

Pete H		Just to add to the already good advice; you may consider manually white balancing with a gray card, especially if the art is very colorful. Pete To love this comment, log in above 0 February 27, 2007

Nancy Donnell		Thanks everyone, I appreciated the information also! Nancy To love this comment, log in above 0 March 01, 2007

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