When your artwork is a pain to photograph
Hi, my name is Lisa, and my artwork is a nightmare to photograph.
BFAR staffer Amanda considers the challenges posed in photographing my art.
I know it's a pain. And I warn/remind the photography staff of it when I come in the door.
Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction generally needs three days to shoot my work. Not because they're too busy, although they are busy. It's because my work, like me, is complicated. The surfaces vary in depth, for one thing.
At least three different depths, just in this view of the work. But wait, there's more!
For another thing, my work features a lot of small details. On top of that, I also tend to incorporate shiny surfaces like transparencies, mica or glass. So the shoot has to be set up to reduce glare and unwanted reflections.
Reflective surface? Check. Multiple depths? Check. Photo shoot nightmare in 3... 2...
But sometimes glare or other issues can't be avoided, so there's the post-production editing.
BFAR's owner Scott somehow shoots & edits my multi-layered work without losing his mind.
Yes, I could shoot my own work, and I used to (results were okay). I could take classes, and I know of some good resources. But my priority right now is making more art; I'm the only one who can do that. I have the luxury, at the moment, of having someone else document my work. (No, I'm not being compensated in any way by Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction. I just like their results.)
The three pieces I brought in this time should be ready next week. Check back next Friday!