Photographing Art

This slide talk presents a comprehensive overview of major photographic issues relevant to artists. Starting with the fundamentals of camera controls and film selection, it moves on to discuss the differing qualities of light – and how these qualities interact with art objects. The discussion will survey both camera and lighting equipment. The approach used by professional photographers will be revealed, enabling artists to knowledgeably determine not only whether one is required but also how to speak the photographer’s language. Business and legal issues, such as contracts and copyright, will be touched upon. Within the context of these options, strategies for low-budget shoots will be reviewed. Time permitting, the digital alternative may be addressed. PhotoShop’s capabilities may be demonstrated, highlighting the specific features relevant to artists who aspire to photograph their own work. Larger issues, such as calibrating monitors, RGB vs. CMYK color spaces, and TIFF vs. JPEG file formats, may also be addressed. Questions will be encouraged throughout the presentation. Attendees are invited to bring in photographs of artwork that they have previously made, and following the presentation these can be briefly critiqued on a one-to-one basis.

Please Contact Ricardo Barros for information about scheduling this presentation.

© Ricardo Barros 2006