Eames has been updated to version 4.1.3. Here’s what we improved:
Fixed bug preventing gallery image caption / description from displaying fully
Theme updates are available for download with an active service subscription. Remember to refer to our Theme Update Best Practice Checklist for step-by-step instructions before updating your theme.
Milo has been updated to version 4.1.4. Here’s what we improved:
Fixed bug preventing gallery image caption / description from displaying fully
Theme updates are available for download with an active service subscription. Remember to refer to our Theme Update Best Practice Checklist for step-by-step instructions before updating your theme.
If you’re a working artist you’ve probably experienced the frustration that comes along with the business administration side of a successful art practice. Keeping track of your inventory, events, locations, contacts and expenses are the things that most artists have no trouble forgetting about when they’re in the studio doing what they love.
Don’t get me wrong, being known and well-connected with art professionals and gallerists is an honor and a privilege, and making a sale is a thrill — it’s the getting organized part that tends to become boresome, if not overwhelming, for many artists.
I recently became aware of a business software for artists called ArtistClerk. It’s a web-based application that’s been designed to streamline the administrative side of your art business. I like how ArtistClerk has a clear focus on easing the administrative burden of artists by making it easy to understand important things like:
Who has purchased the largest number of your artworks?
What size(s) of artwork are your best selling?
Where do you sell most of your pieces?
How much money have you spent on business expenses?
ArtistClerk is reasonably priced and has an experienced leadership team behind it with a track record of delivering on their promises. The software has been developed from the ground up by artists for artists, and it’s been tested by professional artists to ensure that it is user-friendly for everyone.
Here’s a link to a video introduction and demo for those interested in learning more. Feel free to leave a comment below to let me know what you think about what ArtistClerk is doing for artists.
Made has been updated to version 3.2.5. Here’s what we improved:
Added blog feature to customizer allowing full post display by default
Fixed blog post galleries caused by Gutenberg release
Fixed bug preventing keyboard arrow navigation on zoom gallery view
Adjusted image caption line height (masonry/thumbnail templates)
Adjusted image overlay height (masonry/thumbnail templates)
Fixed sidebar content visual editor bug related to Gutenberg update (data from TinyMCE not being retrieved in visual mode)
Fixed broken gallery templates and missing gallery options panel related to Gutenberg
Improved Gutenberg editor fonts, columns, spacing
Theme updates are available for download with an active service subscription. Remember to refer to our Theme Update Best Practice Checklist for step-by-step instructions before updating your theme.
Eero has been updated to version 1.2.6. Here’s what we improved:
Added blog feature to customizer allowing full post display by default
Fixed blog post galleries caused by Gutenberg release
Fixed bug preventing keyboard arrow navigation on zoom gallery view
Adjusted image caption line height (masonry/thumbnail templates)
Adjusted image overlay height (masonry/thumbnail templates)
Fixed sidebar content visual editor bug related to Gutenberg update (data from TinyMCE not being retrieved in visual mode)
Fixed broken gallery templates and missing gallery options panel related to Gutenberg
Improved Gutenberg editor fonts, columns, spacing
Theme updates are available for download with an active service subscription. Remember to refer to our Theme Update Best Practice Checklist for step-by-step instructions before updating your theme.
For artists with intentions of making connections with art professionals, seeking representation by a gallery, or simply wanting to become visible to a larger audience — you will need to become proficient at photographing your art in a way that presents each piece in its best possible light. If you prevail you will have succeeded in bridging the gap between your material work and the digital screens that have become the lens through which the world will be invited to experience it.
Here are 20 recommendations for how to professionally (or at least competently) photograph your painting, drawing, sculpture, or craft.
Location and Staging Considerations
1. Use a clean, simple background.
2. If your artwork is on loose paper, match it to something that can lean against, or hang on, a wall.
3. Choose a location with plenty of soft, natural lighting (e.g., near a large window) as direct light tends to be too harsh and can cast shadows, cause reflections or even alter the color of your piece.
Camera Setup and Composition Considerations
4. Use a microfiber cloth to clean your camera lens before shooting.
5. Use a tripod (or level surface) and set the self-timer to keep your camera perfectly still, which will ensure that your images are as sharp as possible.
6. Position your camera so it is perfectly parallel to the artwork being photographed (e.g., if your art is leaning against a wall you should tilt your camera to match the angle).
7. Position your camera horizontally or vertically to match the orientation of your piece.
8. Leave only a small amount of space around the edges of your piece in the [camera] frame.
9. Set the ISO of your camera to 100 or 200 for best image quality.
10. Set your camera’s aperture to f/8 for sharpest results.
11. Zoom-in slightly because camera lenses tend to work best when they are partially zoomed.
12. Turn off your flash, as well as the lights in your room in favor of natural light.
13. Pay attention to the white balance of your camera (adjust the white in the image preview on your camera to match what your eye’s see). If the auto white balance of your camera is tinting orange or blue try using a preset for your lighting environment (i.e., natural light).
14. Preview your image and use the exposure compensation feature in your camera to correct overly dark or overly bright appearance. Try to keep the color and exposure of your image as close as possible to the original artwork.
15. Preview your image to ensure that it’s in focus. Once you’re satisfied, take several shots of each piece.
16. Wait to pack up your gear until you have reviewed your photos on your computer screen at 100% zoom.
Post Production Considerations
17. Use the cropping tool of your favorite image editing software so you only see the canvas or frame of the piece itself (e.g., leave no visible borders). For sculptures, crop the image with a sufficient amount of white space around your piece.
18. Zoom to view each image at 100% and carefully review. Use the retouch tool to correct any problem areas.
19. Avoid over editing images and always favor the most realistic contrast and color adjustments possible.
20. Save images in JPEG format at ‘Very High’ or ‘Maximum’ quality.
Leave a comment to share additional thoughts or ideas about how to photograph artwork for online presentation (portfolio website, Instagram, etc). As an aside, our Made and Eero themes now feature an exciting tool to allow viewers to expand gallery images to fullscreen, and zoom-in even further to explore greater detail!
Our interview series continues this week with commercial photographer, Christoph Papsch. Enjoy the Q & A along with a selection of Christoph’s work.
Where are you located?
I’m located in Bonn, Germany, where I live with my family. Within 200 kilometers there are cities like Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Brussels, Luxembourg etc. with more than 15 million people living here.
Tell us a bit about your background as a photographer?
After an apprenticeship as a photographer 20 years ago I started working as a freelance photo designer. My first two or three years in the field consisted of smaller projects as I was still developing client relationships and building trust. Eventually, clients started entrusting me with their large budget productions and giving me an opportunity to take on greater responsibility.
What are you working on right now?
Over the past few months I have been working on various projects for logistics and transport companies. These include global companies such as DHL, Schaeffler, MAN, Georg Fischer and different container shipping companies based in Germany. Currently, I’m working on a project for a company in the field of beverage logistics.
What work do you most enjoying doing?
In recent years I have specialized as a photographer in the fields of industry and logistics. I love the smell of metal cutting, heavy oil and kerosene, the hiss of hydraulics, the rattling of equipment and the rumble of machinery and engines. I am fascinated by large and noisy industrial halls, technical equipment, huge machines and the finest industrial manufacturing – but above all, I truly enjoy the interaction of people and technology.
What do you believe is a key element in creating a good composition?
My most basic understanding of composition is that I can only take photographs of processes, things or people that I know and understand. Before I take pictures I like to learn about why something was made, how it works and how it is being used.
How has the internet influenced the way you market yourself?
Previously, I had to make appointments and move from client to client to showcase my printed portfolio. That was exhausting and took a lot of time. Now, I hardly do that anymore. A good presentation of my work on my website is much more important and efficient. I can add new work at any time and draw a client’s attention through newsletters or mailings. But most importantly – my online portfolio is available at any time, worldwide.
How did you decide how to price your work/services?
The more you specialize in a photographic field the more qualified you are for specific jobs and clients, which makes it possible to charge a good fee for your work. I can understand that not every potential client can or wants to pay such a fee, so I consider myself fortunate to have had clients who value my work and are willing to pay for my services. Being valued and sought after in the marketplace has always incentivized me to continue improving and developing throughout the course of my professional career.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve been given?
Respect the people you photograph.
To see more of Christoph’s work or follow his latest, visit his website or connect on social media:
Eero has been updated to version 1.2.5. Here’s what we improved:
Fixed bugs related to iOS touch screens
Adjusted width of gallery footer controls container
Theme updates are available for download with an active service subscription. Remember to refer to our Theme Update Best Practice Checklist for step-by-step instructions before updating your theme.
Made has been updated to version 3.2.4. Here’s what we improved:
Fixed bugs related to iOS touch screens
Adjusted width of gallery footer controls container
Theme updates are available for download with an active service subscription. Remember to refer to our Theme Update Best Practice Checklist for step-by-step instructions before updating your theme.
Made has been updated to version 3.2.3. Here’s what we improved:
Fixed logo issue related to Internet Explorer browser
Fixed issue related to SwipeBox (missing navigation icons)
Added new “zoom” feature for Masonry, Thumbnail and Horizontal galleries
Added new image sharing tools to zoom enabled gallery types
Added new full screen mode tool to zoom enabled gallery types
Fixed Horizontal gallery warnings on browser console regarding SVG
Updated “zoom” script to latest version used in WooCommerce
Updated various WooCommerce compatibility code
Replaced gallery overlay icon style
Improved gallery overlay icon support
Fixed issue related to image display on WooCommerce single product page
Fixed WooCommerce cart issue causing empty cart to briefly flicker
Improved gallery control spacing
Improved single product add to cart button spacing
Theme updates are available for download with an active service subscription. Remember to refer to our Theme Update Best Practice Checklist for step-by-step instructions before updating your theme.
