photographing artwork

[liveinlite]

I have been asked to photograph paintings for a gallery...They are all behind glass..What is your best suggestion for photographing without glare?

[chtgrubbs]

Hire a pro.

[Conk]

Hire a pro.

Great reply :rolleyes: . Why bother taking the time for answers like this.

To answer the original question, I have photographed art for a few clients. If at all possible it would be best to see if it can be removed from the glass. Reflections are going to be an issue and still can be without glass depending on the surface of the art work. if you cannot shoot them without the glass then you are bound to have some hassles. you are going to have to play around with your lighting until you see minimal reflections when looking at the artwork strait on. Some may suggest a polarizing filter but I personally would not go that route. Artwork is a finicky thing to shoot while getting the lighting correct. Without the right lighting the colour of your artwork can/will change. Again, like I said depending on the art itself, if it is an oil painting then you'll have your work cut out for you. If it is a raised oil then shadows are an issue.

Aside from all that babble, just set up with the lighting you need and fire away. Move your lighting around until you get the right results. You'll have some good some bad. Thats why Adobe made Photoshop. :D

[PhotosGuy]

Try shooting through a hole in a black card to minimise reflections in the glass. There is another thread about shooting art that started about a week ago.

[chtgrubbs]

[QUOTE=Conk]Great reply :rolleyes: . Why bother taking the time for answers like this.

I'm serious. I have photographed artwork for galleries, museums and individual artists for 15 years. It would take a small book to explain how to get it right, not to mention the color management issues which digital entails. See "How to Photograph Works of Art"
by Sheldon Collins publlished by Amphoto.

[Bruce Hamilton]

Use a fast lens with a polarizer, shoot as close to wide open as possible without flash. If you must use a flash, bounce it straight up off the ceiling.