Photographing and Submitting Your Art

(Also refer to “How Does This Work?”)

The photograph of your art is very important; as it will be the visual image the buyers will see!  So start with a great image!

Camera

Use a digital camera. You will need to be able to download your pictures to your computer to create a DVD or memory stick for submission.You can also send by email if there are not large numbers of images.

Incorrect settings will always lead to disaster. The more you know about your camera, the better your pictures will be, so please read the manual!

Put the camera on a tripod. Position the camera so that it is parallel to the surface of the artwork. If you don’t do this, you will see that the rectangle shape of the artwork is distorted. For example, the top of the work might appear narrower than the bottom. Also, center the artwork in the lens.

Lighting

Most artists are surprised to learn that direct sunlight is absolutely the best light you can shoot in. Any other light source is somewhat deficient in one part of the spectrum or the other.

Find a spot where you can hang your painting on a wall and photograph it in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon. The sun should be at approximately 45 degrees to the painting. If you want to bring out high relief in your brush strokes, make that angle more acute (more over to the side). Obviously, you'll want to avoid your own shadow or shadows from other objects.

If you cannot use direct sunlight, then put two photofloods at a 45-degree angle from the work so the light falling on the work is evenly dispersed and does not reflect directly back from the surface.

If the artwork shows glare, use polarizing filters in front of the photofloods (you may be able order these and the photofloods from your local camera store or online). Also, if there is glare, use a polarizing filter on your lens.

If you are photographing a piece of sculpture, make sure the lighting does not cast shadows.
 
Taking the Photograph

Your painting or sculpture is in good light and you know how to control your camera. There are a few things you can do before you release the shutter to make your work look its best.

1. Use a zoom lens. That cuts down on distortion. Back up then zoom in with the camera. This will help you square up with the painting or sculpture and will let the lens utilize the spot for the sharpest picture possible. Don’t zoom in so far that the camera starts to "digital zoom.” Digital zooming will degrade the image and will cause distortion.
2. Fill the frame with your work.  For web reproduction, you'll have to size the photo down with Photoshop or some other image-editing program.
3. Use the maximum resolution that you can!  Not less than an aspect ratio of 1800 pixels.  This allows a beautiful picture on the site without slowing down the listing.
4. Save photo as a JPEG image!  (Go to picasa.google.com  for free, downloadable jpg software; www.jpeg.org for more information about jpegs.)
5. You can copy the jpeg to one of the following to be sent:  DVD, memory stick, flash card or you can email up to three jpegs.

Shoot several times at different exposures. That will make it far more likely you get something that is usable.

Submitting Your Art

1. Please annotate your jpeg. Include:
   1. Artist’s Name
   2. Code (your initials plus a unique number, for example:  SMT001,  SMT002, etc.)
   3. Name of Work (if available)
   4. Medium
   5. Size
   6. Date
   7. List Price
2. Send your jpegs (on DVD, memory stick, or flash card) to:
   
   Discover Original Art
   120 12^th St. E.
   Tierra Verde, FL  33715
   USA
   
3. OR email up to three (3) images via email to artsubmissions@discoveroriginalart.com

For additional information on submitting your images and for how the process works, refer to “How Does This Work” on our website!