maschoos

I am a beginner at photograhy. I am photographing art work for giclee reproduction and the initial photographs are a little dull. I am using a cannon T5i camera with a canon 200mm, 35-80mm, 1.4-5.6 shooting subject in raw and jpeg. I am using reflective/umbrella 5000K lights at 45 degree angle. Much of the dullness can be photoshopped out. Any suggestions on how to improve the initial photographs.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

IMO, you need a better lens than what you have. Also, try using a polarizing filter adjusted appropriately. NO clear protective filters please. Try using lights without the umbrellas.

maschoos

give it a shot any suggestions on the lens

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Make sure you are using a good lens hood. If you have the room, I would use something like the Tamron 90mm macro - manual focusing is OK and cheaper.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You are using a tripod ? ! - and shooting at base ISO ! ?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome, to UHH. Consider using F11 with your 35-80 at 80MM. I assume you are using a lens hood, if not that is a must. A polarizing filter will help increase contrast.I also assume the lights are slightly behind the camera at the 45 degree angle you mentioned.

maschoos

Yes and yes

maschoos

[quote=imagemeister]Make sure you are using a good lens hood. If you have the room, I would use something like the Tamron 90mm macro - manual focusing is OK and cheaper.[/quo

I'll look into a hood

maschoos

no hood but looking into it. yes a tripod is in use and I'll try the polarizing lens-thanks

maschoos

looking into a lens hood lights are slightly behind subject-thanks

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Lens hood is a MUST!!.Find it on Ebay at great prices.

maschoos

thanks

maschoos

apparently true but as a beginner is why I posed this question

A.J.R. Loc: Devon, UK

I have (where possible) photographed paintings with the camera on a copy stand as its much easier to get the camera precisely lined up. This of course might not be possible if the painting is on the large size. Regarding quality, although your lenses might not be ideal they should give a reasonable result. A better choice would be a reasonable quality prime 40 or 50mm. Your 200mm is too long but set your zoom somewhere around 40 to 50mm at somewhere around f8/11, (I feel the 80 and 90mm suggestions also on the long side with an APS-C sensor). You are right to set the lights either side at 45 degree's, but make sure they are a reasonable (and equal) distance away from the painting. Too close and the lighting will be uneven. Make sure the room you are photographing the paintings in is reasonably dark, you do not want any other lighting interfering with the main lighting. Check that there is no stray light hitting the lens. As for your your photographs being on the dull side use levels and (careful use of) curves to adjust. If possible check the image for density and colour on the screen against the original painting and make it slightly brighter as the print will never appear as vibrant as the screen image.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Turn of the lights and use a tripod. ISO 100, F5.6- F8, self timer. If you need straightening use Photoshop and if you need help with that you can send the photo to me.