Photographing Artwork and Flat Items: The Decisions That Matter
Reproducing paintings, prints, textiles and documents accurately, with even lighting, correct color and minimal glare.
Imogen Clarke
Why does it matter?
Artwork reproduction demands accurate color and even lighting across the whole surface, which standard product setups rarely deliver.
What are the numbers?
- Lighting two lights at equal angles for even illumination
- Glare cross-polarization reduces reflections
- Color color targets support accurate reproduction
- Guidelines FADGI publishes guidelines for cultural heritage imaging
What should I do?
- Light evenly from both sides
- Align the camera parallel to the artwork
- Use cross-polarization for glossy surfaces
- Include a color target
- Check evenness with test shots
What should I avoid?
Avoid:
- Uneven lighting across the surface
- Perspective distortion from angled cameras
- Glare on varnish or glass
- Color judged without references
When should I get help?
Short answer Bring in help when digitizing art collections or producing print reproductions.
Where this comes from
- Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative — Technical guidelines for digitizing cultural heritage materials
- International Color Consortium — Introduction to the ICC profile format
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
We take on Photography & Product Visuals work for teams who want it done once, properly. Tell us what you are building and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right studio for it. Start a project.
Where to go next
Spotted something wrong? Report an error on this page. We correct on the page and say what changed.
