How to photograph art painting with inexpensive camera
john
I'm writing.
I'm not a photographer, and don't even own a camera. I tried
taking photos with a disposible 35mm camera (these have met my
needs in the past--e.g., vacation pictures), but the results this
time were very poor. The images were indistinct (a focus problem?)
and the color washed out.
This was a cheap brand. Maybe I would have gotten better
results with a Kodak or Fujitsu camera.
My camera options are limited: either a disposible, or a very
inexpensive non-disposible one.
Given this constraint, are there things I can do to improve
the image quality? Specific questions:
1. How close can I get to an object with one of these
inexpensive cameras?
2. Would film choice make a difference here?
3. Is a tripod or the equivalent necessary to get a good
image?
4. As the picture is framed and covered with glass, using
a flash doesn't seem an option. I tried moving it
outside for better light--that might have contributed
to the washed-out color. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
--
John Uebersax
Marvin
and inadequate knowledge. If you are willing to spend at
least $100, you can get a digicam that should do a better
job than the cheapie disposables. (And they are all
cheapie!) Then you can look for a photography book in a
public library. Short of that, don't expect good results.
Or maybe you can talk a friend with decent equipment and
some knowledge ot do the job for you. With a digicam, it
takes less time to learn the best way to do the job, because
you see the results quickly.
Paul Mitchum
> Given this constraint, are there things I can do to improve
> the image quality?
Hire a photographer.
john
> Hire a photographer.
Yes, I think that's what I might do. If I really want something of
publication quality I should let a pro do it.
The painting is framed and covered with glass. I wonder if that will
make it more difficult to photograph.
Paul Mitchum
> Paul Mitchum wrote:
>
> > Hire a photographer.
>
> Yes, I think that's what I might do. If I really want something of
> publication quality I should let a pro do it.
If it's for fine-art publication, then you certainly don't want to use a
cheap camera. You probably want medium format, at least.
> The painting is framed and covered with glass. I wonder if that will
> make it more difficult to photograph.
If you can control the light adequately, it doesn't have to be a
problem. Ideally, the painting would be out of the frame, but that's
probably not practial.