Photographing Arts, Crafts, & Collectibles

by Steve Meltzer

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Lark Books (2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1-57990-906-X
ISBN-13: 978-1-57990-906-2
Dimensions: 11.0" x 8.6" x 0.5"
Shipping Weight: 1.49 lbs.

Making a good first impression with galleries, jurors and buyers is the key to growing recognition and sales success for any artist. Therefore it's important to create a portfolio and website that features professional-quality images of your work. Excellent photography is also one secret to on-line auction success. Digital cameras make photographing objects easier than ever and now Steve Meltzer takes you through every step of the process. His articles about photographing arts, crafts, and collectibles have appeared in such magazines as FiberARTS and Interweave, and he has written monthly photography columns for The Crafts Report and Art Calendar. Meltzer has been credited with defining and creating this photography niche.

What kind of camera do I need? For photographing most artworks, you can get excellent results with a mid-level EVF (electronic viewfinder) camera. But if you want to take close-ups of small objects, such as jewelry, there's an important test you should make in the store before you buy.

Do I need expensive lighting equipment? You can use standard photographer's lights and accessories (stands, light boxes, umbrellas, etc.) or improvise with inexpensive clamp lights and materials from hardware or home building stores.

How do I choose the right background? The first rule for backgrounds is: keep it simple. Find out how to use draped paper to create a seamless, textureless white background, or choose black or a solid color as a dramatic alternative.

How do I compose the photograph? Tall objects and squat ones require different camera angles and lighting. A flexible object, such as a necklace, can be positioned in an S-curve. Avoid putting the subject in the center by using the compositional "rule of thirds."

How do I read the histogram, and what does it mean? Your camera can tell you whether the tones in the image are distributed within a given range. Understanding the histogram assures you'll always capture the colors and the balance of light and shade accurately.

How can I enhance the photograph in the computer? Steve explains how to use programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paint Shop Pro to crop pictures, correct colors, adjust contrast, and even correct for perspective distortion.

And much more...

A great image can mean the difference between a high-dollar selling price and no sale at all. Make sure that your photographs give you the edge in the competitive art marketplace.