How to Photograph Art Like a Professional

As an artist, you want your work to be seen by as many people as possible. And in today’s digital world, that means photographing paintings, drawings or other artwork so that they look their best online. But how do you do that?

Being an artist, you know that your artwork is more likely to be seen in photographs than in real life. The internet has made it possible to share images of art with massive audiences online, and this means that the way photography of artwork is more important than ever.

How to Take Pictures of Your Art?

If you want to make a good impression (and attract potential collectors, curators, jurors, and other art-world professionals), you need to know how to take professional-looking photos of your artwork. Every artist knows that photographs of their work are important. But not every artist knows how to take a great photo of their artwork. How to photograph framed art? If you want your work to be seen by the widest possible audience, it’s important to learn how to take photographs that really show off your art in the best light.

Don’t worry; we’re here to help. We’ll give you all the tips and tricks you need to take pro-quality photos of your artwork, whether it’s inside or outside, in low light or bright sunlight, whether you are learning how to photograph artwork for reproduction or want to make impactful posts on social media. 

We’ll also go over some common photography terms like resolution and white balance so that you can make sure your photos look their best. If you don’t own a camera already, look up best cameras and lens for photographing artwork. If you’re all set, grab your camera, and let’s get started!

Outside vs. Inside

When it comes to taking photos of your artwork, you have two main options: inside or outside. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to think about what will work best for your particular piece.

If you’re photographing a large painting or sculpture that can’t be moved easily, then you’ll probably want to take your photo outside. That way, you’ll have plenty of space and natural light to work with. Just make sure to pick a spot that’s not too windy so that your artwork doesn’t get blown around.

If you’re photographing smaller pieces or ones that are delicate or valuable, then it’s probably best to take your photos inside. That way, you can control the lighting and make sure your artwork is safe from any potential damage.

Indoor Lighting 101

If you’re taking photos of your artwork inside, then you’ll need to be careful about the lighting. Too much light can wash out the colors in your photo, while too little light can make it look dark and blurry.

The best way to get good indoor lighting is to use a tripod. This will help keep your camera steady and prevent any blurriness in your photos. You can also use a flash if you need to, but be careful not to use it too much, or else your photo will look washed out.

Adjusting White Balance

White balance is a setting on your camera that controls the colors in your photo. If you’re taking photos inside, then you’ll need to adjust the white balance to compensate for the different kinds of light that are typically found indoors (like fluorescent lights).

To adjust the white balance, you can either use the automatic setting on your camera or manually set it yourself. If you’re not sure how to do this, then consult your camera’s manual or look online for instructions.

Tripod Tricks

As we mentioned before, using a tripod is a great way to get clear, sharp photos of your artwork. But there are a few other things you can do to make sure your photos come out looking their best.

First, make sure to use the timer setting on your camera. This will help prevent any blurriness from happening when you press the shutter button. Second, if your tripod has a bubble level, make sure to use it. This will help keep your camera level and prevent your photos from coming out crooked.

Resolution

Resolution is a measure of how many pixels are in your photo. The higher the resolution, the more detailed your photo will be.

When you’re taking photos of your artwork, you’ll want to make sure that the resolution is high enough so that people can see the details in your work. But you don’t want it to be too high, or else your photos will take up too much space on your computer. If you want your photos to look professional, you need to use the right equipment. A DSLR camera with a macro lens is ideal for photographing small details, while a wide-angle lens is better for capturing larger scenes. You’ll also need a tripod to keep your camera steady and avoid blurring.

A Trick for Reflective Art

If you’re taking photos of artwork that’s very reflective, like a glass vase or a mirror, then you’ll need to be careful about how you position your camera. If you’re not careful, then you might end up with reflections of yourself or your surroundings in your photo.

To avoid this, try holding your camera at an angle so that the reflection is less likely to show up. Or, if you’re using a tripod, you can attach a small mirror to the tripod head and use it to reflect the light away from your artwork.

Exposure Blending

If you’re taking photos of artwork that has both light and dark areas, then you might want to try exposure blending. This is a technique where you take two photos of the same thing, one with long exposure and one with a short exposure, and then combine them together.

This will help bring out the details in both the light and dark areas of your photo. To do this, you’ll need to use an editing program like Photoshop or GIMP.

Taking photos of your artwork doesn’t have to be difficult. Just remember to use a tripod, adjust the white balance, and be careful of reflections. And if you’re taking photos of artwork that has both light and dark areas, try exposure blending to bring out all the details.

With these tips, you’ll be able to take great photos of your artwork that will look amazing online.