Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - Photographing your artwork in the digital age.

John Reidy · 02-24-2005, 03:55 PM

I attended a workshop for photographing your artwork, even with glare from the varnish. The method is to place your painting against a black velvet (cotton) fabric and take it outside in FULL SUN either midmorning or midafternoon. Place your painting at an angle directly facing the sun (that's why the time frame of midmorning or afternoon, lower sun angle) and line up your camera directly facing your painting, same angle.

I have tried it and it has worked for me using Fuji-Chrome and 100 speed color print film. I have tried it with my Nikon D70 and was pleased although the sun was a bit shaded. I believe that if I had used full sun I would have been happier.

The main drawback is you have to wait for a sunny day.

The workshop also said if you must shoot on a cloudy day to place your lights at 45 degree angles (2 lights). I've had relative success this way as well.

Hope this helps. If anyone has any further suggestions I would love to see them, too.

02-24-2005, 03:55 PM	#3
John Reidy !st Place MRAA 2006, Finalist PSOA Tri-State '06, 1st Place AAWS 2007 Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Kernersville,NC Posts: 391	I attended a workshop for photographing your artwork, even with glare from the varnish. The method is to place your painting against a black velvet (cotton) fabric and take it outside in FULL SUN either midmorning or midafternoon. Place your painting at an angle directly facing the sun (that's why the time frame of midmorning or afternoon, lower sun angle) and line up your camera directly facing your painting, same angle. I have tried it and it has worked for me using Fuji-Chrome and 100 speed color print film. I have tried it with my Nikon D70 and was pleased although the sun was a bit shaded. I believe that if I had used full sun I would have been happier. The main drawback is you have to wait for a sunny day. The workshop also said if you must shoot on a cloudy day to place your lights at 45 degree angles (2 lights). I've had relative success this way as well. Hope this helps. If anyone has any further suggestions I would love to see them, too. __________________ John Reidy www.JohnReidy.US Que sort-il de la bouche est plus important que ce qu'entre dans lui.