How to Take Photos of Art

Take photos of your art when you want to share it digitally.

Taking photos of art requires a few steps to ensure you take the best image possible without degrading the quality of the art. This means it will also require a few tools to achieve the best results. Whether you are photographing your own art or need proof that you saw a priceless Picasso at a gallery, following these guidelines will result in better images that showcase a work of art well.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Digital camera
• Batteries
• Memory card
• Tripod
• Computer
• Camera cables
• Photo-editing software

Taking photos of art

1. Turn off the camera's flash to avoid glare and washing out the art. This might require changing the settings on the camera to manual, depending on whether you are using a point-and-shoot camera or a digital SLR.

2. If the art is a painting, lean it against a wall in an area with indirect sunlight. If the art is framed, make sure to clean the glass and remove any smudges.

3. Place the camera on a tripod and stand it directly in front of the art to fill the frame. Get as close as possible. A bit of a border around the art is OK, because it can be cropped.

4. Shoot several photos of the art.

Editing your photos

1. Upload your photos to a computer with photo-editing software.

2. Adjust any color and sharpness issues in photo editing. Crop any edges, and make sure the art is as straight as possible.

3. Save any changes. Your photograph of the art is now ready.

Tips & Warnings

• Glass often produces a glare on art. If you cannot remove a piece from the wall, stand at a 45-degree angle and shoot from there.

• If you do not have a tripod, try leaning against a wall or kneeling so your elbow rests on your knee to help stabilize the camera.

• Be cautious about photographing art in museums and galleries. Many museums do not allow it. Check rules beforehand.

• Some museums and galleries will allow you take photos, but only without a flash. Some allow photography but not tripods. Make sure you know how to adjust your flash settings.

References

• Better Photo: How to Photograph Your Paintings (Digitally)