Capturing images of paintings

[Anthony S]

Hi. I was asked to shoot 50-60 paintings with a digital camera.
Should I lie each painting on the floor and shoot downwards? Or would
it be better to shoot them from a frontal view? Suggestions on a
tripod/gear, tec. Thanks.

Anthony

[Sheldon]

It's much easier to shoot them hanging. Your problem will be getting the
lighting just right, and making sure whatever lighting you use won't damage
the paintings (don't want really hot lights). I would try and light them
from two sides at 45 degree angles, and make sure you have the white balance
just right or you'll have to tweak them with software. If any of them are
under glass, or reflect a lot of light, a polarizer might help. Obviously,
a tripod and anythng to cut down on camera shake is a plus.

If possible, bring a notebook computer so you can blowup your images and
really get a good look at them when you start. You don't want to make the
same mistake 60 times when you can catch it on the first image. And, since
you don't have to pay for film or processing, you can afford to do a lot of
bracketing to make sure things are right.

I "think" this is a good start. It will be interesting to see what others
have to say.

[G- Blank]

Hey -The title should have been clueless amateur seeks advice on how to
do a professionals job :^) You could always tell the cheapskate who is
hiring you to find someone that knows how!

A lot of it depends on how big these paintings are. I have a copy stand
which I can shoot flat art up to 16x20- it has positionable arms with
lamps on them to decrease glare by moving the lamps . Advice on
equipment depends on the requirements : a DSlr should be fine for small
repro's up to say 8x10 for prints.

Labs use scanning backs in the range of 30-60 megapixels for high end
work where large prints or 4 color repro work is being done, they use
carbon arc lamps to illuminate both sides. You can use two flash guns
on stands and umbrellas for really big pieces hung on a wall. If this is
really low end (like web stuff) you could shoot them outdoors against a
wall on a cloudy day-cropping out background junk- yes you could use a
ladder or a roof top- or stand on your assistants back ;)

I would also consider the use of a color bar as well as an on Camera
POL.

[Battleax]

Hey -The title should have been clueless amateur seeks advice on how to
do a professionals job :^) You could always tell the cheapskate who is
hiring you to find someone that knows how!

A lot of it depends on how big these paintings are. I have a copy stand
which I can shoot flat art up to 16x20- it has positionable arms with
lamps on them to decrease glare by moving the lamps . Advice on
equipment depends on the requirements : a DSlr should be fine for small
repro's up to say 8x10 for prints.

Labs use scanning backs in the range of 30-60 megapixels for high end
work where large prints or 4 color repro work is being done, they use
carbon arc lamps to illuminate both sides. You can use two flash guns
on stands and umbrellas for really big pieces hung on a wall. If this is
really low end (like web stuff) you could shoot them outdoors against a
wall on a cloudy day-cropping out background junk- yes you could use a
ladder or a roof top- or stand on your assistants back ;)

I would also consider the use of a color bar as well as an on Camera
POL.

The problem with using a professional is that sometimes you get a total
asshole.
Know what I mean?