For Artists – Photographing Artwork
There are a few ways we use pictures of your work to help promote you; it is critical that we receive good quality imagery:
- The Guide: Your image fills a 4cm square space, at this small size fine details will not be seen
- Online: You should supply a range of images that demonstrate your practise, but if your work is letterbox shape, consider showing a square cropped detail (squares are much easier to work with)
- Printed Publicity: Your imagery can be used in paid promotions and advertorials, but we need high resolution images – we won’t send images that are less than 1MB in size
2D Work
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- Photograph your work BEFORE it is mounted under glass or varnished
- Remove paintings from their frames, if possible choose a bright day and place your work in the shade – keep your lighting as ‘flat’ as possible to avoid unwanted highlights and shadows across your work.
- Make sure the flash on your camera/phone is turned off
- Make sure your camera/phone is set to take a high resolution image
- It’s most important you take the picture as square-on to your work as possible i.e. Not at an angle or it will be distorted
- If possible fix your camera on a tripod and use a remote control or timer
3D Work
- Most 3D objects look better if they are casting a shadow. To achieve this use direct sunlight when it’s at a low angle (i.e.morning or evening).
- If your light source is TOO directional and your shadows are too harsh, you can use a white canvas, sheet or piece of card on the opposite side to your light source to ‘bounce’ light back onto your item.
- For small items (ceramics, jewellery etc) create a seamless background by laying a large sheet of white or neutral coloured paper or cloth on a table and gently curve it up to a wall behind. Photograph the objects on this.
Digital File
- Name the file with your name as it appears in the Guide and the title of the piece.
(i.e. AnnaSmith_Lilies) - The file must be in a jpg, png, tiff or PSD format and a minimum of 1500 pixels on the shortest side.
- The file should be left in RGB colour (as photographed). DO NOT convert to CMYK.
- DO NOT send images with date stamp or other superimposed text.
- Your file must ideally be bigger than 1MB, and less than 6Mb in size.