Here’s a really simple 5 step tutorial for artists on how to photograph their work.
- Take photos in natural daylight. This will help the photo show your works truest colours. I find slightly overcast days produce great shots.
- Lay the painting flat on the ground. A lot of places will tell you to try and stand it up against something but I only find that helpful for larger pieces. If you do choose to stand it up, try and stand it as straight as possible.
- Turn off the flash. This can cause glare, dramatically changing the look of your photo.
- Snap your shot, avoid casting any shadows on your image.
- Crop your picture so you only have the painting in the final image.
Then you can photoshop to create an effect if you so wish. I’ve only just gotten my hands on this magical invention so I’m still working through fixing some old images.
*** Don’t forget to enter my Pick Your Print Giveaway which runs till May 15th 2010.
There are a few tips I thought others out there could use. Just a few things I, myself, wish I had known before I ventured into the big wide world of being an artist.
Photos:
I wish I’d realised how important it was to have a decent camera that took high quality images and easily reduced glare. I got my hands on photoshop this year and love it. Now I have to work through some old images of paintings long sold to bring them up to scratch. I’ll put up a post soon with some tips for photos.
Document:
Take note of everything. Size, colours used to create a painting, brushes used, medium, date created, location of painting when out of your studio, your price, commission rate, actual sale price, where it went (if possible). It makes life much easier when it comes time to answer questions from galleries and clients or when you’re working on a series of paintings.
Hanging Prep:
This is a pretty big one. I’m rather embarrassed when I look back at some of the work I sent out. I learned how to tidy up the back of my work for my first exhibition. I asked a lot of questions and Googled my life away trying to ‘get it right’. There is no one right way but there are some steps that shouldn’t be overlooked. I’ll put up an instructional post for that in the next week.
Business Cards:
Always include a business card (or two, or ten) in your packages. Whether you’re sending your work to a client or off to an exhibition, make sure you send along a business card. I’ve started doing this new thing, it came about because I wasn’t able to get my business cards shipped on time for a show. I handwrite each of my business cards and in the past 2 months I have been through over 200 business cards. They say nothing but “Find me! ChavahKinloch.com” and have a little mark on them made from either crayon or coloured pencil. I know this could be looked at as a major no-no but people seem to love the personal touch and I have to admit, so do I. My site gets direct hits from them and I’ve never been Googled so much. Clients also appreciate having somewhere to go to see more work and learn about me, the artist. It’s a fun way to interact without actually being there to talk to every single person.
Image courtesy of Nileflow.com
Mailing List:
This is by far my biggest stuff up. I really wish I could go back and get the details of every wonderful client I traded with or artist and gallery I exchanged emails with (from computers that are long dead). Contacts are your best friend in the life of an artist, you never know where your next opportunity or acquaintance will come from. Plus artists are amazing people to know, I have made some really good friends through my work. So take note of the people you interact with.
Thanks a bunch
Rachael Inch for sharing these photos from the gorgeous exhibition! This exhibit is currently running at Gallery O, Christchurch Arts Centre, Christchurch. Sept 15th -21st. If you’re in town I suggest you pop by, I haven’t added all the pics but the artwork there is stunning!
