Documenting Oil Paintings
Tony Milne
Looking for a guiding light!
I have been asked by an artist friend to record a few of her oil paintings
on slide film. Having never dealt with photographing paintings before, I
have a few questions.
I am using a Nikon F50 without a dedicated flash unit, I intend to use a
polariser to reduce the glare.
I am planning to try Kodak EPP 100, Fuji Velvia 50(for it's saturated
colours) and Agfa RSX50.
The oil paintings are glazed (with a special coating), I would assume that I
will not be able to use my built in pop-up flash due to reflection, will I
need to use flash to capture these pictures? (sorry if that seems like a
silly question) or will natural light suffice?
If I do, have to use a flash, is there a way around buying a new flash (eg
SB26)?
Also I would be very grateful if anyone has any other tips before I take the
plunge and start clicking.
The art works are to be documented so as to be presented to a very
prestigious art school to support the artists application to that school.
(Therefore I would like to do the very best job I am able to)
john...@erols.com
Do not use on-camera flash. Lighting must be from side to show texture
of paint. Watercolors, pastels, etc. are flat and it does not matter.
But oil paintings have texture that will show up with side lighting.
Using a flood angeled from the side, you can adjust the amount of angle
until the result is to your liking. With the flood at the best angle,
you should be able to eliminate the glare. Outdoor using the sun is also
possible, but you have less control out there. In any case, put
paintings on nice background in case background is going to show in final
print. Use white bed sheet if you do not have background paper.
I would suggest that you use a flood light angled from the side. Used
Tungsten or Type A chrome film, or use conversion filter. Conversion
filter should also be used on negative film to minimize color correction
problems at lab. You used to be able to buy blue floods for color films,
but I do not know whether that is still true.
Also decide how you are going to crop the photos, since most
pictures/paintings are not in the same ratio as 35mm film.
If you need to shoot graphics under glass, this is another problem for
which there are solutions.
Incidentally, forget the polarizer.
email me if additional questions.
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frank_kolwicz
Tony,
If these images are really important to your friend, be prepared to tell her
that she may need to get professional work. Doing a good job of reproducing art
is not easy and all of your efforts may fail to represent the work accurately
and well.
As to some specifics: I recommend the Agfa RSX (50 or 100) for pretty accurately
reproducing the color of the art. I recommend AGAINST using the Velvia - it is
not only extremely saturated, but also has a strong warm tone bias, both of
which will distort her colors, especially pastels. EPP is not as strong as
Velvia, but is a saturated, warm biased film and will produce some of those
effects.
Yes, forget flash. Depending on the size of the originals you may need as many
as 4 to get decent, even, light coverage.
A polarizer in sunlight will let you vary the amount of reflection enough to
show the glaze without swamping the colors; try various amounts on film and let
your friend choose the effect she finds most pleasing and representative of her
work.
Texture, too is usually important in oil paintings. Play with slight variations
of angle to the sun to show up brush marks and other texture elements. An
aluminized or white reflector opposite the sun will help control excessive
contrast due to the angled light source; if you use foil, the surface should be
crinkled to diffuse the reflected light.
Good luck.
Frank
In article , "Tony says...
bz...@technonet.com
> I have been asked by an artist friend to record a few of her oil paintings
> on slide film. Having never dealt with photographing paintings before, I
> have a few questions.
> I am using a Nikon F50 without a dedicated flash unit, I intend to use a
> polariser to reduce the glare.
> I am planning to try Kodak EPP 100, Fuji Velvia 50(for it's saturated
> colours) and Agfa RSX50.
> The oil paintings are glazed (with a special coating), I would assume that I
> will not be able to use my built in pop-up flash due to reflection, will I
> need to use flash to capture these pictures? (sorry if that seems like a
> silly question) or will natural light suffice?
> If I do, have to use a flash, is there a way around buying a new flash (eg
> SB26)?
>
> Also I would be very grateful if anyone has any other tips before I take the
> plunge and start clicking.
>
> The art works are to be documented so as to be presented to a very
> prestigious art school to support the artists application to that school.
> (Therefore I would like to do the very best job I am able to)
To do the best job possible, you need to ensure that your subject has
even lighting without hot spots. You need to account for chiarusco(?) or
highly textured areas. Depending on the size of the work, you may be
able to get by with your flash, but you'll probably want to find a way to
light the work from each side. Photo floods or another flash unit at a
45 degree angle would be a good start.
bill zorn
Kyle Cassidy
: > Looking for a guiding light!
: > I have been asked by an artist friend to record a few of her oil paintings
: > on slide film. Having never dealt with photographing paintings before, I
: > have a few questions.
i do this all the time, have always had great results taking the paintng
outside and hanging it in the shade. make sure to meter off of a grey
card, not the painting.
kyle
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