Artwork Photography
Perfect high-resolution, digital reproduction of works of any media at any size.
Why You Should Have Your Artwork Photographed
Although smaller works can be scanned, high-resolution digital artwork photography is my preferred method of capture as I believe it is the superior means for obtaining a quality reproduction. Scanners use a fluorescent light source aimed directly at the work, which can result in unsightly reflections off glossy surfaces and even colour shifts. Using a photographic process means the lighting set-up can be tailored to the individual work based on the media employed by the artist to accurately capture the colour and texture of the original piece. This is essential in the case of works with reflective surfaces such as gilding.
Although smaller works can be scanned, high-resolution digital artwork photography is my preferred method of capture as I believe it is the superior means for obtaining a quality reproduction. Scanners use a fluorescent light source aimed directly at the work, which can result in unsightly reflections off glossy surfaces and even colour shifts. Using a photographic process means the lighting set-up can be tailored to the individual work based on the media employed by the artist to accurately capture the colour and texture of the original piece. This is essential in the case of works with reflective surfaces such as gilding.
Photography can also be used to capture an image of an artwork which is already behind glass. More importantly, photography is the safer option with regards to protecting the work itself as most scanners will come into contact with the surface during capture. This is critical in the case of pastel works or three-dimensional pieces such as collages.
My Artwork Photography Service
My artwork photography service includes colour-correction and test printing as standard, so at the end of the process you will be able to see with your own eyes exactly how the image prints on archival paper. Minor touch-up work, such as dust-spotting or signature-removal is included free of charge, and the backgrounds of works employing negative space can be digitally removed to achieve a transparent effect when printing, even whilst preserving delicate watercolour washes.
More significant image editing, such as image stitching (for extra-large print files), may incur an additional fee based on the time required to do the work. All print files and digital negatives are archived with me, so if you ever lose your files, or require them in a different format, replacement can be easily supplied at any time free of charge.
Although I usually provide the completed files via DropBox (or the file transfer service of your choice) in 300ppi tiff or jpg format, I am aware that other print services such as Red Bubble or certain publishers (in the case of illustrations for a book) may require the files to be resized or in a different format, and I’m more than happy to provide the files to whatever specification you require. If you are not that tech-savvy (as many artists aren’t!), I can even liaison directly with the end client to make sure the files are produced to the exact specifications required.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am often asked by oil and acrylic painters whether it is better to have their artwork photographed before the final gloss-coat has been applied, as they are concerned about reflections showing up in the varnish. This is not a problem with careful lighting, and I personally think it is better to photography the piece once it is complete as the varnish will often deepen the colours of the paint beneath – you want your work to look it’s best, after all.
Similarly, watercolourists often ask if any buckling of the paper is a problem. Again, this is not a significant issue as the work can be flattened and photographed behind behind non-reflective glass if required.
Contact Me
Email me today if you would like to learn more about my artwork photography services or if you’d like to receive a copy of my price list.