Sharper Image

April 27, 2025


Taking a good photo of your painting or drawing might seem like a small detail, but it’s actually one of the most important parts of your art practice. Whether you’re sharing your work online, applying to exhibitions, or simply keeping a record of what you’ve made, the photo you take becomes the version of your art that most people will see. It deserves just as much care as the work itself.

A clear, well-lit, high-resolution image doesn’t just show your artwork—it respects it. It allows the texture, color, and composition to come through, and it gives your work the chance to communicate fully, even when it’s being viewed on a screen or printed in a catalog. And let’s be honest: we’ve all taken that quick, uneven snapshot with a phone camera and regretted it later when it looked muddy, distorted, or didn’t capture the spirit of the piece.

Photographing your work well starts with paying attention to the basics: lighting, focus, angle, and framing. Natural, indirect light is often best. Try placing your work near a large window, and avoid shooting at times of day when the sunlight is harsh. You want the light to be even, not creating bright spots on one side and shadows on the other. If you’re using lights indoors, position them at about 45 degrees from either side to reduce glare—especially if you’re shooting something with gloss or texture, like an oil painting.

Keeping the camera square to the artwork is crucial. If the piece is on a wall, your camera should be level and straight on—not tilted up or down. This avoids distortion and keeps the lines in your piece looking clean and accurate. A tripod really helps with this, but if you’re using a phone, just take a few extra moments to line everything up carefully.

Focus matters more than you might think. Make sure your whole artwork is in sharp focus—edges and center alike. Some lenses (especially phone cameras) can distort or blur the outer edges of a photo without you realizing it until later. Zoom in and check before you call it done. And always shoot at the highest resolution available to you. Even if you're just planning to post it online, you’ll be glad to have a higher-res version later if you need it for printing, making a portfolio, or submitting to a show.

Once you’ve taken your photo, crop it cleanly so it shows only the artwork—no walls, no frames, no floorboards. Unless you’re deliberately including those elements for presentation, keep the image focused on the piece itself. A little light editing is fine to straighten, crop, or adjust brightness and contrast, but be honest with the colors. Your goal is to represent the piece as it truly looks.

It might not feel like the most creative part of being an artist, but good photography is a kind of craft in itself. It’s a quiet, behind-the-scenes gesture of professionalism and respect—for your work, for your audience, and for your future self. A sharp, clear image can carry your art far beyond your studio walls. It’s worth getting right.