The quality of your fine art prints depends entirely on how well you capture your original artwork digitally. Even the most beautiful painting or drawing will produce disappointing prints if the photography fails to accurately represent colours, details, and textures.
This guide walks through professional techniques for photographing artwork, from basic smartphone methods to advanced camera setups. Whether you're working with paintings, drawings, mixed media, or three-dimensional pieces, these strategies will help you create digital files worthy of professional printing.
Understanding Digital Image Requirements for Prints
Before diving into photography techniques, you need to understand what makes a digital file suitable for fine art reproduction.
Resolution and File Size Basics
Print quality is measured in DPI (dots per inch). Professional fine art prints require 300 DPI at the final print size. This standard ensures sharp, detailed reproductions without visible pixelation.
To calculate the pixel dimensions needed for a specific print size, we recommend multiplying each dimension in inches by 300. For example:
- An 8x10 inch print requires 2400x3000 pixels
- A 16x20 inch print requires 4800x6000 pixels
- A 24x36 inch print requires 7200x10800 pixels
Higher resolution provides more flexibility. If your file exceeds these minimums, you can offer multiple print sizes from a single capture. A file large enough for a 24x36 inch print works perfectly for smaller sizes as well.
Colour Accuracy Matters More Than Megapixels
Many artists focus on camera megapixel counts, but colour accuracy and even lighting matter far more for artwork reproduction. A 12-megapixel camera with proper lighting and colour calibration produces better results than a 50-megapixel camera in poor conditions.
Your goal is creating a digital file that faithfully represents your original artwork's colours, values, and details. Everything else is secondary to this objective.
Equipment Options for Different Budgets
Professional artwork photography doesn't necessarily require professional-level investment. Your equipment needs scale with your goals and budget.
Smartphone Photography (Budget Option)
Modern smartphones can produce acceptable results for artists just starting out or those working with smaller pieces. Recent iPhone and high-end Android models capture images with sufficient resolution for prints up to 16x20 inches.
Smartphone photography works best when:
- Your artwork is flat (paintings, drawings, prints)
- You have access to good natural light
- The piece is relatively small (under 24 inches in any dimension)
- You're willing to invest time in setup and editing
Limitations include less control over settings, smaller sensors that struggle in low light, and lens distortion that can warp artwork edges.
DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras (Mid-Range Option)
Entry-level DSLR or mirrorless cameras provide significantly more control and better image quality than smartphones. These cameras offer:
- Manual control over exposure, white balance, and focus
- Larger sensors for better colour accuracy and detail
- Interchangeable lenses to match your needs
- RAW file formats that preserve maximum image data for editing
For artwork photography, you don't need the latest camera model. A well-maintained used camera from 5-10 years ago performs excellently for static subjects like artwork.
Professional Setup (Advanced Option)
Professional photographers and established artists often invest in specialised equipment:
- Full-frame cameras (Canon, Nikon, Sony) for maximum image quality
- Prime lenses or specialised reprography lenses designed for flat artwork
- Professional lighting systems with consistent colour temperatures
- Copy stands or mounting systems for precise camera positioning
- Calibrated monitors for accurate colour evaluation
This level of investment makes sense when print sales justify the cost or when working with particularly valuable original artwork.
The Copy Stand vs. Wall Mounting Approach
How you position your artwork during photography affects consistency and quality.
Using a Copy Stand
A copy stand holds your camera parallel to flat artwork laid horizontally on a surface. This setup offers several advantages:
- Perfect parallel alignment prevents distortion
- Consistent positioning across multiple pieces
- Easy lighting placement from fixed angles
- Stable platform reduces camera shake
Professional copy stands range from £175-1750, but DIY versions can be built for under £85 using basic hardware and a sturdy frame.
Position your camera so the lens centre aligns perfectly with the artwork centre. Use a bubble level to ensure both camera and artwork are perfectly flat and parallel.
Wall or Easel Mounting
Mounting artwork vertically on a wall or easel provides a more accessible alternative, especially for large pieces difficult to lay flat. This approach requires:
- Securing artwork firmly without sagging or warping
- Careful camera levelling to maintain parallel alignment
- More attention to even lighting across the entire surface
- Using a tripod heavy enough to prevent any movement
The vertical approach works well for large paintings or pieces that can't lay flat due to texture or construction.
Mastering Lighting for Artwork Photography
Lighting represents the single most critical factor in capturing artwork accurately. Poor lighting creates colour casts, uneven brightness, harsh reflections, or lost details in shadows.
Natural Light Photography
Window light provides an accessible starting point for artists on tight budgets. North-facing windows offer consistent, soft light throughout the day without direct sunlight's harsh shadows.
Position your artwork perpendicular to the window so light falls evenly across the entire surface. Photograph during midday hours when natural light is most stable and neutral in colour temperature.
Challenges with natural light include:
- Inconsistency as weather and time change
- Colour temperature variations throughout the day
- Limited output for shooting in darker months or climates
- Difficulty achieving perfectly even illumination
For artists shooting multiple pieces, natural light's inconsistency can create colour matching challenges across your catalogue.
Artificial Light Setup
Controlled artificial lighting provides consistency and flexibility. A basic two-light setup eliminates most common lighting problems.
Positioning lights at 45-degree angles: Place one light on each side of your artwork, positioned at 45-degree angles from the camera-artwork axis. This arrangement cancels out shadows and creates even illumination across the surface.
Distance lights equally from the artwork and position them at the same height and angle. This symmetry is crucial for even lighting.
Choosing the right bulbs: Colour temperature affects how colours reproduce. Use bulbs rated at 5000-5500K (daylight balanced) for neutral colour that matches standard viewing conditions.
LED panels designed for photography work well because they provide consistent output, don't generate excessive heat, and last for thousands of hours. Avoid household bulbs, which often have poor colour rendering and inconsistent colour temperatures.
Dealing with Reflections and Glare
Glossy paintings, varnished surfaces, or artwork under glass present reflection challenges. Several techniques minimise glare:
Polarising filters: Attach a circular polarising filter to your camera lens and rotate it whilst viewing your artwork. This filter can dramatically reduce or eliminate reflections from glossy surfaces.
Light positioning: Move lights forward (closer to the camera) or backward (farther from the camera) along the 45-degree axis until reflections move outside the artwork boundaries.
Angle adjustments: Sometimes tilting artwork very slightly (2-3 degrees) breaks the reflection angle without creating noticeable distortion.
Removing glass: When possible, photograph artwork without protective glass, then replace it afterward. This eliminates reflections entirely.
Camera Settings for Optimal Capture
Proper camera settings ensure sharp, accurate images that translate well to prints.
Shooting in RAW Format
RAW files preserve all sensor data, providing maximum flexibility for colour correction and editing. Unlike JPEGs, which compress and discard image information, RAW files let you adjust white balance, exposure, and colour without degrading quality.
All DSLR and mirrorless cameras support RAW capture. Enable this format in your camera settings before shooting artwork.
ISO Settings
ISO controls your camera sensor's light sensitivity. Lower ISO values produce cleaner images with less digital noise.
For artwork photography, always use your camera's base ISO (typically 100 or 200). Since your artwork and camera are stationary, you can use slower shutter speeds without blur concerns, making high ISO unnecessary.
Aperture Selection
Aperture affects depth of field and lens sharpness. For flat artwork, you want everything in focus with maximum sharpness.
Use aperture settings between f/8 and f/11. This range provides the sweet spot where most lenses perform sharpest whilst maintaining adequate depth of field. Wider apertures (f/2.8-f/5.6) reduce sharpness, whilst very narrow apertures (f/16-f/22) can cause diffraction that softens the image.
Shutter Speed and Tripod Use
Shutter speed determines exposure duration. For artwork photography, shutter speed is less critical than other settings because both subject and camera remain still.
Always use a sturdy tripod to eliminate camera shake. This allows you to use any shutter speed needed for proper exposure without blur concerns. Use your camera's self-timer or a remote release to avoid vibration from pressing the shutter button.
White Balance Configuration
White balance ensures colours in your digital file match your original artwork. Automatic white balance works reasonably well but can shift between shots if lighting conditions change slightly.
For consistency, set a custom white balance using a grey card:
- Place a neutral grey card in the same lighting as your artwork
- Photograph the grey card filling your frame
- Use your camera's custom white balance function to set this as reference
- All subsequent photos will use this colour temperature standard
Alternatively, shoot in RAW format and set white balance during editing using the grey card photo as reference.
Colour Management and Calibration
Accurate colours throughout your workflow require calibration at every stage.
Monitor Calibration
Your computer monitor must display colours accurately or you can't evaluate your digital files correctly. Uncalibrated monitors often show colours brighter, darker, or with different colour casts than your files actually contain.
Hardware colorimeters like X-Rite ColorMunki or Datacolor SpyderX (£85-175) calibrate your monitor to industry standards. These devices measure your display's actual output and create custom profiles that ensure accurate colour representation.
Calibrate your monitor monthly or after any settings changes. Professional artists often calibrate weekly or before critical editing sessions.
Colour Checker Cards
X-Rite ColorChecker cards provide reference colours that simplify colour correction. These cards contain standardised colour patches that appear identical under proper colour management.
Include a ColorChecker card in the first shot of each photography session. During editing, use software like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One to match these patches to their known values, automatically correcting any colour shifts in your lighting.
This workflow ensures every piece you photograph matches your originals accurately and consistently.
Post-Processing and Editing Techniques
Even perfectly captured images benefit from careful editing to optimise them for printing.
Cropping and Perspective Correction
Minor perspective distortion occurs when the camera isn't perfectly parallel to your artwork. Most editing software includes perspective correction tools that straighten edges and correct keystoning.
Crop your image to include only the artwork itself, removing any background, wall, or workspace visible around the edges. Clean edges look professional and simplify the printing process.
Colour Correction and Adjustment
Compare your digital file to your physical artwork under good lighting. Adjust exposure, contrast, and colour balance to match the original as closely as possible.
Work in small increments and frequently compare to your original. The goal is faithful reproduction, not creative enhancement.
If you photographed a grey card or ColorChecker, use these references to set accurate white balance and colour profiles before making subjective adjustments.
Sharpening for Print
Apply subtle sharpening to enhance detail without creating artificial-looking edges or halos. The appropriate sharpening amount depends on your original artwork's characteristics and final print size.
Most editing software offers sharpening presets. Start with "low" or "medium" settings and evaluate results by zooming to 100% view. Sharpening should enhance existing details, not create new texture where none existed.
File Format and Saving
Save your final edited file in a lossless format like TIFF or PSD that preserves maximum quality. These formats support layers, adjustments, and future editing without quality loss.
Export a high-quality JPEG copy for uploading to print-on-demand platforms or sharing online. Use maximum quality settings (10-12 in most software) to minimise compression artefacts.
Special Considerations for Different Media
Different types of artwork present unique photography challenges.
Photographing Textured Work
Heavy impasto paintings, collages, and mixed media pieces with significant texture require additional attention to lighting angle. Light raking across the surface at very low angles emphasises texture, whilst straight-on lighting minimises it.
For most reproduction purposes, lighting that shows texture without creating harsh shadows works best. The standard 45-degree lighting setup achieves this balance effectively.
Three-Dimensional Artwork
Sculptures and other three-dimensional pieces need different approaches than flat artwork. Consider:
- Multiple angles showing different views of the piece
- Lighting that reveals form through subtle shadows
- Clean, neutral backgrounds that don't distract from the work
- Enough depth of field to keep all important details sharp
Three-dimensional work often benefits from slightly artistic photography rather than purely documentary approaches.
Digital Art and Photography Prints
If your original artwork already exists digitally, proper file management ensures optimal print quality. Save your work at high resolution from the start, use appropriate colour spaces (Adobe RGB or ProPhoto RGB for editing, sRGB for web), and maintain archival versions before converting for specific purposes.
When to Consider Professional Photography Services
Some situations justify hiring professional artwork photographers:
- Your work is extremely valuable and requires archival-quality documentation
- You're preparing images for museum exhibitions or major publications
- Colour accuracy is absolutely critical and you lack calibration equipment
- You have many pieces to photograph and need efficient, consistent results
- Your artwork is very large or difficult to photograph with available equipment
Professional photography services typically charge £45-175 per piece depending on size, complexity, and how many pieces you need photographed. This investment makes sense when the quality difference impacts sales or when your time is better spent creating new work.
Building an Efficient Workflow
Once you establish reliable techniques, create a repeatable workflow that ensures consistency.
Standardising Your Process
Document your successful setup with photos and notes covering:
- Exact light positions, heights, and distances
- Camera settings for different artwork sizes
- Editing presets and adjustment sequences
- File naming conventions and organisation systems
This documentation lets you recreate your setup quickly and maintain consistency across shooting sessions months apart.
Batch Processing Multiple Pieces
When photographing multiple artworks in one session, maintain consistent lighting and camera position. This allows you to apply the same editing adjustments to all images, significantly reducing post-processing time.
Many photographers shoot all pieces first, then process all images together using synchronised settings in their editing software.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced artists sometimes make these errors when photographing artwork:
Uneven lighting: One side brighter than the other creates colour and value inaccuracies across your image. Carefully measure and match your light positions on both sides.
Focussing errors: Auto-focus can lock onto the wrong area. Use manual focus or single-point autofocus on the artwork's centre to ensure sharpness where it matters.
Shooting without a tripod: Hand-holding your camera inevitably introduces slight blur at the shutter speeds needed in typical lighting conditions.
Inadequate resolution: Photographing at lower resolution saves file space but limits your maximum print size. Always shoot at your camera's highest quality settings.
Neglecting colour management: Skipping monitor calibration and colour reference tools leads to prints that don't match your originals or look inconsistent across different pieces.
Over-editing: Aggressive adjustments to "improve" your artwork changes it rather than reproducing it. Trust your original and edit conservatively.
Testing and Quality Control
Before committing to selling prints from your digital files, validate your entire workflow.
Ordering Test Prints
Order test prints in several sizes from your chosen print-on-demand service. Compare these prints carefully to your originals under good lighting.
Look for:
- Colour accuracy across the full range of hues in your work
- Proper exposure in both highlights and shadows
- Sharp details throughout the image
- Correct colour balance without unwanted colour casts
If test prints reveal problems, identify whether issues stem from photography, editing, or the printing service itself, then make appropriate corrections.
Creating a Reference Library
Keep your test prints as references for future work. These physical samples help you understand how your artwork translates to prints and guide your photography and editing decisions for subsequent pieces.
Conclusion
Learning to photograph artwork properly transforms your originals into digital files worthy of fine art print reproduction. Whilst the initial learning curve requires patience and practice, the techniques become second nature with repetition.
Start with whatever equipment you have available and focus on fundamentals: even lighting, accurate focus, proper exposure, and colour accuracy. As your print business grows, you can invest in better equipment and refine your workflow.
Remember that your goal is faithful reproduction rather than artistic reinterpretation. The most successful artwork photography serves your original art by capturing its qualities accurately and presenting them in the best possible light.
With careful attention to lighting, camera settings, and editing, you can create digital files that produce prints virtually indistinguishable from your originals, giving collectors confidence in their purchases and building your reputation for quality.
