Somehow I found myself getting up and walking toward the painting;
or, perhaps, it was coming towards me. And then, without any surprise or hesitation on my part,
I entered the frame.
Peter Ackroyd
Sharing my creative inspirations, my excitment for contemporary art forms and retro style.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Great Shots of your Art!
Digital cameras and photo-imaging software have made it quite easy to take pictures and distribute them on blogs, in social media, and even in print magazines. But perhaps you sometimes wonder why some people' pictures come out clear, sharp, and colorful while others—maybe yours?—look dark and fuzzy. Or have shadows in all the wrong places.
Especially when shooting your artwork, you want the result to look as professional as possible. So I asked our design director, Larissa Davis, to share some of her tips on how to take better pictures of your art.
8 Tips from a Pro
Take the photos with natural lighting, if at all possible. A flash causes shadows and glare. Soft, northern light is best. If the light inside isn't optimum, take your subject outside; this works best if it is a slightly overcast day.
Shoot with the light behind you. Whenever possible, take your photo from a vantage point where your back is to the light. Don't shoot “into” the light; your subject will be in shadow.
Use a tripod or other method of stabilizing the camera. Otherwise, use a steady hand. This is especially important with close-ups.
Remove distractions. Take a look in your view finder and look at what's around your subject. Is there a plant behind it? Papers off to the side that you don't want in the picture? Remove any objects that aren't there to enhance the photo.
Neutral doesn't mean boring. It's usually best to photograph your artwork against a neutral background. But that doesn't have to be a white wall. Something with texture, such as Japanese paper or a nubby linen tablecloth can make the subject pop and give it a context.
Vary your angles. Try taking a faraway shot, a close shot, and a detail shot of each element. Shoot from above and from below.
Give it some scale. If you're shooting your artwork for selling purposes, especially, it can be a good idea to style your piece with another object that shows the scale. This could be a tulip, a button, a hand (with the object in the palm), or a house, depending on the piece.
Use a light box. A light box is a professional photographer's tool that reduces glare and shadows and makes it easier to trace and edit your images digitally. A light box also helps bring out the details in your artwork. Fortunately, you can easily and inexpensively make one at home.
From Cloth Paper Scissors Blog
Especially when shooting your artwork, you want the result to look as professional as possible. So I asked our design director, Larissa Davis, to share some of her tips on how to take better pictures of your art.
8 Tips from a Pro
Take the photos with natural lighting, if at all possible. A flash causes shadows and glare. Soft, northern light is best. If the light inside isn't optimum, take your subject outside; this works best if it is a slightly overcast day.
Shoot with the light behind you. Whenever possible, take your photo from a vantage point where your back is to the light. Don't shoot “into” the light; your subject will be in shadow.
Use a tripod or other method of stabilizing the camera. Otherwise, use a steady hand. This is especially important with close-ups.
Remove distractions. Take a look in your view finder and look at what's around your subject. Is there a plant behind it? Papers off to the side that you don't want in the picture? Remove any objects that aren't there to enhance the photo.
Neutral doesn't mean boring. It's usually best to photograph your artwork against a neutral background. But that doesn't have to be a white wall. Something with texture, such as Japanese paper or a nubby linen tablecloth can make the subject pop and give it a context.
Vary your angles. Try taking a faraway shot, a close shot, and a detail shot of each element. Shoot from above and from below.
Give it some scale. If you're shooting your artwork for selling purposes, especially, it can be a good idea to style your piece with another object that shows the scale. This could be a tulip, a button, a hand (with the object in the palm), or a house, depending on the piece.
Use a light box. A light box is a professional photographer's tool that reduces glare and shadows and makes it easier to trace and edit your images digitally. A light box also helps bring out the details in your artwork. Fortunately, you can easily and inexpensively make one at home.
From Cloth Paper Scissors Blog
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Artist Success Circle "Making the Link between Business & Social" Monday May 24th
Hi Everyone, we have our Artists Success Circle coming up this Monday May 24th at 6:30. We are having our resident techie Frank Hauser help us out with Social Networking and making it work for our businesses. He will be on hand to try to answer questions and help us through the settings and applications. So bring your laptop,questions and expertise to share with the group. Thanks Lisa Scala
We would love you to join us at the Scala Art Center 28 West Main St. Georgetown MA 01833
(978) 352 8614
ScalaArtCenter@verizon.net
ScalaArtCenter.com
There are allot of us that have struck out on our own trying to navigate the Social Networking Scene. I have found that even though I am on these pages Facebook, Twitter, Flikr I don't necessarily know how to work them to my advantage for my business. It's all about the steps to make certain apps., badges,pages and the like work for you.We need help!
Monday, May 10, 2010
"Spring Fling" Georgetown MA Family, Fun & Art
Our first annual "SPRING FLING" is here already. We are going to be having an Artisan & Craft Show as well as arts and crafts for kids. There will be Face/Tatoo Painting and aVintage Fire Engine for the kids. This is a "Shop Local Event" including other shops around town that are having events and activities. This will be a great day to spend creative time with the family and support your local businesses. We are "sistering up" with the Art Fair at Lincoln Hall in West Boxford center.(on the way to Benson's Ice Cream)
A day of Art & Fun! Thanks Lisa Scala“SPRING FLING” a Georgetown “Shop Local Event”!
Scala Art Center 28 West Main St. Georgetown MA 01833
Saturday May 15th
11 – 5
(Rain Date Sunday May 16th)
(978) 352 8614
Scala Art Center & Local Georgetown Shops are presenting the first “Spring Fling”
Scala Art Center will celebrate with:
Outdoor & Indoor Artisan & Craft Show
Sign -Up for classes that day 10% off
Vintage Fire Engine for the Kids!
Photographer
Food Vendor
Kid’s Arts and Crafts
Face Painting & Tattoos
Music
Our Causes are benefiting Breast Cancer. Thank you for your support!
The Breast Cancer Charities of America
Crafter Supplies Yard Sale (we will be accepting craft supply donations in the box at the front of the Scala Art Center). Spring cleaning, crafter style!
Tables are available for both selling your own art & crafts or craft supplies.
Little's Block of Shoppes will feature:
Sidewalk Sales
Free Balloons for kids
'Horrible Cookies' sampling
Solo Strutters Breast Cancer Crusade
Natural dog treats sampling
Many vendors will donate 10% of their sales to the Georgetown PTA
Theo's Restaurant will be cooking it up inside and out!
In addition, a great way to help support your local downtown economy.
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