Resolve to Have The Best Photos You Can!

by Greg Vineyard

Happy New Year! Every day is the right one to tackle resolutions. And when I don’t stay up late eating something I shouldn’t while watching some “bad” sci-fi flick where aliens eat our brains or whatever, I awake each morning, eager to begin again. However, we do have a lot of C.E. (“Calendar Emphasis”) every January, so let’s pick a goal: Good Photography.

Excellent shots of one’s work can make or break opportunities in areas like art competitions, gallery submissions, exhibition proposals and even with articles submitted for publication. Medium or poor-quality imagery can move a story from usable to the Editor’s Recycle Bin.

Photos are just as important a part of content as words. In publications, both physical and digital, pages and pages of text-only means you are either a) reading a novel, or b) perusing something so unvaryingly dry that it could turn you into a zombie (but, hey, this is zombie-friendly Asheville, so that could be OK!). Gotta have pictures!

I have some DIY thoughts here to help out with moderate photo needs in a pinch, but if you have the resources to up your game, I strongly recommend hiring a professional photographer. There is no substitute, and we have excellent ones in our region.

Here is a laundry list that may help if you want to try shooting your own work. 1) Supplies. Long table, cloth, lights, camera, high-backed chair; 2) Set-up. Arrange the table long-ways out from a wall; tape a large, neutral cloth a few feet up, with enough length to cover the table 3) Lighting. Flood your item with lamps; 4) Shoot. Turn chair back toward the table, using it as an arm rest to steady the camera, and then hold your breath for a second as you click the shutter.

Some additional considerations:

1) Keep a shots list. And take extra shots, like close-ups and groupings of color-ways.

2) Stay simple. Neutral settings keep the focus on the piece. For functional wares, consider shooting with very few props; for example, a wooden spoon next to a casserole dish easily suggests usage.

3) Lighting. Shoot during the day. Keep windows behind or to the side of your table. Use lots of lamps on both sides. Light boxes diffuse glare, but in this DIY scenario, you will get some shiny spots.

4) Fish-eye. No, it’s not a zombie look. It’s distortion you get with most cameras. The long table helps minimize this effect.

5) Tripod. It really helps reduce shaking and blurry shots.

6) Nomenclature. (Sounds like a Norwegian dessert!) When you download your digital files, name them right away in an organized fashion, and be consistent.

Make a resolution to tackle your photography, including developing a budget for professional shots. Establish relationships with photographic experts so that your professional images are consistently excellent. Practice shooting your own shots for records-keeping, and so you can learn what you are able to do on your own. You will then be more ready and confident whenever an opportunity to promote yourself arises, whether snapping a quick photo, or running to your vendor of choice who now knows you and your work and can squeeze you into their schedule. Good images of good work can enhance artistic success!

I wish you the best of luck this month — and every day!