INSTALL PHOTOS THE DO’S 20 + DO NOTS 15
SUCCESSFUL PHOTOS Art Installation photographs are an integral part of our marketing efforts; please be mindful of this when photographing client installs. Review the following tips for successful photos and use them as a guide when taking photographs of artwork.
STRAIGHT SHOT & CLEAR Taking a photograph straight-on shows off the artwork and the space in which it resides. Remember to capture the image so that the space around it is even and the artwork is centered in frame.
GOOD & EVEN LIGHTING Try to ensure there is decent lighting in the room; this may require opening curtains or dimming/ brightening lights. Make sure there is no glare or shadows apparent on the piece.
NO CLUTTER Make sure there is no unnecessary clutter within the shot; iepurses, water bottles, toys, etc. The clutter is distracting and takes away from the piece.
INTERESTING ANGLES Move around the room and take multiple photos capturing different angles to create a dynamic shot.
TIPS: > Take your time - make sure the photo is clear [not blurry]. > Don’t be afraid - climb up steps, move around, move unnecessary items out of view, crouch down. > Multiple shots - take a series of photos; shoot close up & further away from the art. > Balance - try to balance on a table or ledge to get a straight shot. > Lighting - Try for an angle where there isn’t a glare; if possible make sure to include natural light.
UNSUCCESSFUL PHOTOS An unsuccessful photo is a lost opportunity to promote our galleries’ capabilities. Note the appearance of the following photos and what makes them unsuccessful; please avoid capturing this type of image at all costs.
UNNECESSARY CLUTTER The purse, fire extinguisher and chair out of frame are all very distracting. Also, the piece is not centered in the photo, and the composition seems rushed.
TOO CLOSE UP The top image is shot from below the piece, and does not show how the artwork is displayed in the room. The image also has uneven lighting with a very obvious shadow toward the bottom.
BAD LIGHTING The lighting in the shot on the bottom creates a distracting glare and this piece is also too zoomed in the frame.
POOR COMPOSITION The television in the top photo is obtrusive and causes a strange reflection; the sculpture itself cannot be seen clearly.
OFF CENTER/CROOKED The bottom photo is not straight on but positioned rather strangely, and the lighting is much too dim.
ODD ANGLE/DISTORTION The top photo was shot from above, causing the piece to appear skewed and distorted.
OFF CENTER/BAD LIGHTING The detail of the piece in the bottom photo is not visible because the room is so dim, and the composition is off center.
CROOKED/TOO CLOSE The top photo was taken too close up, causing it to appear blurry in the already dim room, and the photo was taken crooked.
BLURRY/OUT OF FOCUS Taking a rushed photo can cause it to look out of focus and blurry, which renders it unusable [no amount of photoshop can fix this].
BAD ANGLE/TOO CLOSE The top photo was shot at a crooked angle and captures the piece too close up; this photo would have benefited from an interesting dynamic angle.
PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL The simple detail of the pillows being tossed on the couch in the bottom photo rather than placed in an aesthetic manner makes this photo unfit for any promotional materials.
PLEASE REMEMBER To always bring the gallery camera and a photo release form to installations. If you have any questions please contact Shannon or Becky at Renaissance Fine Arts.