How to photograph your art

Learn how to take beautiful, professional photos of your art using any camera setup and inexpensive lighting.
Looking for longer, more detailed painting videos & reference photos?
Available here: / @chuckblackart
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In this video, I show you how to photograph your art. I teach you how to take photos of your artwork, setting up your camera, lighting your art, photographing your paintings, and editing in Photoshop.
If you have any questions about something I covered or maybe something I didn't cover in this painting tutorial I am more than happy to answer.
Chuck Black Art

[@WendyMoule]

This is the best tutorial I've seen on photographing art work. It is very generous of you to share this knowledge. Thank you!

[@chuckblackart]

Great to hear that, Thank you and you are welcome!

[@Kermit_T_Frog]

@@chuckblackart I much appreciate this. All kinds of seeds planted. Right now, I'm just planning to post some photos to my Facebook page to show friends and family. At some point, I'm going to want to look to having my stuff shown, and will need clearer images. I am also thinking of limited edition prints. Just curious whether this can be done at home, or whether this would take a professional setup to do right.

[@dianehill4019]

I'm with Wendy M....this is a full coverage tutorial, extremely helpful. Your knowledge matches your talent Chuck! Thank you for taking time to help us out!

[@GlennGuillorySFO]

Finally, all in one place! I learned lots of details I never knew. I have been photo/photoshopping a long time but never in one place did I learn the whole set of individual parameters/settings/values needed to photo my work. I had some parts right. Now, I not only know the answer to some puzzles (how to get the best stitched images, tape measuring distance, and histograms) you confirmed that I had some stuff right already. Nikon D3400 is my current rig. (My dad had a 35mm Kodak film camera from college [1930-40s] so I’ve always documented my life and work and the “goodness” of having someone, again, tutor me now in my 70s is priceless a gift from you, Chuck. When we get older we have to hunt long and hard for teachers as dedicated as you and as conscientious and warm-hearted! You’re a great role model for the young, and patient as Job for us oldies! Really helpful! Practical! -Glenn

[@nit22999]

I am a artist going to take my first pro. step...this was a great tutorial for photographing artwork.I have been looking up for specifically digitizing artwork using dslr images...this was spot on....so so happy and relieved.My best to u. Love your art to..very inspiring.cheers

[@peterashworthart]

Thank you Chuck. This is the BEST of all the 'How to Photograph Art' videos. Much appreciated.

[@mandalayard774]

You're a very talented teacher. I learned more in this video than in the last 100 I've watched on photographing artwork.

[@cbadcardaddy]

Thank you for making this video! I have searched many artist, photography, and printing websites for this information and can now finally stop looking! You made it very easy to understand and explained the process perfectly,

[@raybrown7678]

Hi Chuck. I'm sure you have made it easier for an artist to get a handle on the process. One thing though that artists always seem to get wrong in photoshop is how to correct for blue. You simply increase yellow. In Photoshop you need to think of the primary colours as Red, Green, and Blue. Their compliments are Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow. To reduce a primary you increase its complementary colour. one slider not two unless it is not a pure primary colour that needs fixing.. That said people often mistake a Cyam shift for a Blue shift. Catches me out sometimes. All the best from Australia.

[@2ndBirth]

I've watched a few of these videos about photographing artwork, but this was top notch. Thanks very much buddy :o)

[@franceslistou]

I learned so much in this one little video. Thank you.

[@shugemery]

Very helpful. Especially the histogram explanation. Thankee!

[@AurielleAurora]

I seriously appreciate your clarity in how you teach. Thank you for making all these videos!

[@jennyp9091]

You are an incredible instructor! Thank you!

[@TFranklin0729]

Chuck!!! Wow, thank you!! This is the best tutorial I've seen on this subject! Thank you so much!!!!!!

[@elizabethrosenberg7080]

This is incredibly helpful and a fantastic introduction with everything I wanted to know and more that I didn't even know I wanted to know. Thank you so much for putting this together!!

[@tanya_not_tania]

Thank you so very much for taking time to make this video. I was browsing channel for so long to find all necessary information in one short video. As an traditional artist I know how to paint and have no idea how to photograph the artwork. I hope so many artist will appreciate this video as I have. Thank you!

[@RogZeus]

great tutorial but a few things to note. make sure the bulbs are rated for the same colour temperature (ie. 5000K) and set your camera to photograph at that setting. this will make the colour shifts less noticeable in the photograph. also there is colour correcting tools like x-rite colorchecker passport which will ensure colour accuracy if used properly.

[@chuckblackart]

Yep I didn't include that, important to note. High CRI bulbs are a good idea too

[@damianlampart1008]

Super useful video - thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@beenice9867]

Thank you Chuck. This was so helpful! You explained it in such simple ways, definitely a visual teacher.

[@tomhart9251]

Although this tutorial is 5 years old, I'm finding it clearer, more comprehensive, and more helpful than the several others (often more recent) that I've found. Thanks!!!

[@chuckblackart]

Glad it was helpful, My equipment might have changed since then, but I still use this same method more or less. My pleasure!

[@christinewrestsmith6957]

Absolutely terrific...!!!! Full of info I’ve needed but never found. Thanks SO much.

[@tobyarmstrong5450]

this was super helpful, I really appreciate you taking time to do a less flashy but practical video

[@guyraymond6461]

HI Chuck ; i am glad to know you ,read me then i thank you very much for the reply, and you are one of the great man as a painter, and i wish you be my neighbor ; Chuck you have earned my Respect and thank you to be there for us ; from Montréal, Québec ;

[@JimmyDaboul]

Awsome start to finish on how to photograph artwork. 👍👍

[@leslieroycroft3569]

Wow! You are extremely talented as an artist but also as an instructor!!! So incredibly helpful. I've watched other videos you have made and saved this one for when I had the time to really listen but I had no idea it would be THIS helpful. Very grateful. Thanks so much!!!!!!

[@clarevandaele1410]

Thank you Chuck. You answered so many of my questions with clear and concise explanations. You have a gift for teaching in this field!

[@dianneparks5000]

Most in depth video ever! Thanks so much for all the valuable information!

[@joshuhwah94]

dude you are a pure gift from god. thank you!

[@chuckblackart]

Thanks! Great to see you are enjoying the vids! Let me know if you ever have questions

[@suezart]

Awesome! Thanks so much! Your tutorial really helped a lot - without all the photography mumbo jumbo!! Can't wait to watch more of your videos!

[@mikesmith4052]

Thank you, for this tutorial. You took some very over your head technical knowledge and made it step by step easier to comprehend. You're awesome.

[@patschmidt6507]

You are extremely talented! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@guyraymond6461]

hi Chuck ; you are my real pro ; thank you so much for all the information ; very very well done and super helpful Chuck ; and i thank you to be there for us , i am one of your french fan from Québec, Canada ;

[@AB-vb2mm]

The polarizing filter is a good tip! 🙏

[@spraycan62]

Thanks so much Chuck.

[@createwithwatercolor]

I stumbled upon this video while I was searching for camera review videos. This is most comprehensive guide I have ever come across about photographing the art . Particularly the explanation about histogram and how to use it to get a perfect shot. Thank you so much for narrating the process in great detail. - Manish

[@johnfield7270]

Fantastic tutorial Chuck. This really helps me out.

[@MrRagAndBoneMan1]

Fantastic video... loads of great info.. thanks..

[@riascraftsandsewing4271]

Chuck you really answered so many of my questions and I learned so much from this video. Thank so much for sharing!! 📸👌👏🎨

[@pauletteblake6612]

Wow, what an amazing tutorial. I appreciate the information and look forward to watching this again as I set up my studio to photograph my art. You really explained so much of the fundamentals that make it easier to understand the process of creating quality photos.

[@whasumara73]

Thank YOU. I learned so much from you. I'm an amateur graphite artist, and my scanner doesn't do my drawings any justice. So I'm considering investing in a camera and other equipment to take photos of my drawings simply to share. I'm very appreciative of your sharing. Your instruction was excellent for me. I've subscribed. - Jose

[@LaurenOliviArt]

I’m only at the beginning but I’m excited to watch this video!!!!

[@grahamball364]

I’ve just found your channel your videos are full of info which I find very helpful ,see you next time,Graham .

[@mtgrave5590]

Very great lesson.

[@elenapayne8232]

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you for all the work and knowledge that went into this. My friend asked me to photograph her artwork and your tutorial really helped me accomplish this.

[@colletteworley228]

great video thanks, I will try this out for some paintings that are going to auction. Super video, really easy to understand.

[@rogermariart]

Excellent video tutorial and very detailed. After seeing others, this is perfect to conclude. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@1000000trs]

Very useful, and best tutorial for this that I could find on KZbin. Thanks.

[@dianewilson5106]

Your in-depth instruction is so beneficial. Thank you for your contribution to we fellow artists seeking a better understanding

[@aislinngraves4291]

Thank you so much Chuck! i have struggled with photographing my work and I thought it was cause I have a crappy camera. Nope, the problem was my lighting. Now I can fix that! :)

[@pameladitto50]

I've been searching for a great tutorial on photgraphing artwork. I found it! Thank you, Thank you. I am comfortable to practice it now. Best on KZbin.

[@amel6206]

Wonderful tutorial. You are generous in sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it.

[@maggiesourial9796]

I am glad to meet you. I learned a lot from seeing your video.Thank you

[@mishti06]

Amazingly informative, easy to follow and superbly presented. I know i will re watch this many times. Thank you so so much..this is going to help me so very much with transforming into the next stage of my art journey. Brilliant 😊👍👍

[@lilkirsche]

You are an angel from heaven. Thank you SO MUCH for this video.

[@davidkathurima838]

This is the most useful content on this subject. Thank you very much.

[@a7edits37]

My favourite artist ❤️❤️😇

[@rainbowartstudio2389]

Thanks for sharing your experience, many things are helpful in this video really appreciate.

[@stacycobbartist]

Thank you for this video. I know about painting, but virtually nothing about photos. About a month ago I bought a Nikon camera, but I haven't had much time to learn how to use it. This video was very informative and I appreciate that very much.

[@chuckblackart]

Great! Thanks Stacy, you are welcome!

[@ysel6287]

Thank you for an excellent video. I'm using a D90 - now need to get the Macro lens! I have been having problems getting professional images for reproduction; now I understand the process a little more. Your video is very lucid, doesn't waffle & is well shot. Marvellous!

[@chuckblackart]

Awesome and you are welcome. That D90 will do a fantastic job!

[@guyraymond6461]

hi Chuck ; just to say to you i have the Nikon D7000 with the lense 18x200 ml ; I always use the manuel setting for my subjects for my painting ; i am always following your tips, and thank you very much for sharing Chuck ;

[@wisperjet]

Thank you. Great tutorial. I will watch again.

[@sobanosilva8585]

excellent video covering most of the aspects required to understand how to get good quality captures of art. The same could be done for still life subjects.

[@dddkmkl]

This is the most amazing tutorial ever, thank you! As a landscape artist looking to sell my paintings, I had no idea how to photograph them properly and now I do. It would be amazing if you did a short video on how to properly save/export an image for the best quality print when saving in photoshop. Now that I've got all of my paintings properly photographed I'm stuck on that part!😆😩

[@chuckblackart]

Thanks Dionna. I save them as .tiff files for the best quality and then drop them into photoshop within a master print file to print from. It's not a big deal, I print with jpg as well, just make sure their saved at the highest setting

[@dddkmkl]

@@chuckblackart okay I'll try that! Thank you so much!🙏

[@karenfrary7218]

Very clear and precise! Thank you!

[@carolyns9687]

Thanks so much for this video!!!! Very helpful!!

[@nanettewalker4065]

Agreed best video andI have watched soooo many….

[@irinacretu7924]

Great video! Thanks so much!

[@laniguapolaca]

Very informative I tried to take fotos of my paintings and I gave up, this will put me on the right direction. Thank you.

[@samyriyad8275]

very good work man

[@southbay2009]

Thank you!

[@rainskitchenandgarden]

Thanks so much for this video. I really learned a lot. I have a Canon, I guess it's considered a consumer grade. I'm just starting out taking photos of my paintings and drawings. I can't wait to apply your lessons!

[@kathleenwildey2757]

Awesome information you answered one of my questions. Thank you so much!

[@lisatardiff3382]

Excellent tutorial, thank you so much.

[@Fred-ov5vb]

I thought I had a good handle on photography and Photoshop, but I learned much more than I expected from this excellent video. Thank you Chuck for providing such valuable information.

[@chuckblackart]

You are welcome and that's great! Glad you enjoyed!

[@dianna-lynn]

So helpful, thank you Chuck!

[@Betsylah]

Thank you for the excellent tutorial!

[@PCcardboard1354]

Chuck black you are epic!

[@margiek8090]

Thank you SOOOO MUCH!!!!!

[@saltlifegull4091]

Awesome Chuck - what would I do without you? You are the best teacher ever and make things so simple and understandable. QUESTION: Do you print any on canvas and perhaps touch up the canvas prints afterwards? Thanks so much! Subscriber from Florida.

[@global001]

Good beginners guide however the Shutter Speed isn't dependant on the painting, its dependant on the amount of light available. The more light you have, the higher the shutter speed you can use. The correct exposure is a balance of ISO, f-stop & SS. Explanation of the Histogram isn't totally right, the histogram you showed is for an image with evenly covered light, mid colours and dark areas (ie a virtual bell curve). However having most of that data around the dark area would be the correct exposure for images that have mainly dark colours in it and little light colours. It wouldn't actually be underexposed. Having the histogram past the light area means is correctly exposed for an image that is mainly all whites and not over exposed. It's better to get a linear polarising filter for both camera & lights to reduce reflection rather than a circular. Always take a photo of white card under the light so if you don't white balance in the camera, you can do later in post production. I shoot art for world renowned auction houses. I never shoot above 100 ISO because noise will deteriorate the image quality even on high end cameras.

[@chuckblackart]

Yep that's correct, and of course there's always better equipment. I've honestly though never been able to tell the difference between my images at 400iso and the professional's who use hasselblads and crazy $20k camera scanners. They also charge a lot. When stitched together properly, multiple photos of a painting with good equipment can produce an amazing high res image.. with some practice of course. White balance and lighting are the biggest things I left out for this video. Good high CRI bulbs at 5000k and understanding white balance in your camera is really important for me. Thanks for the comments!

[@therealriviera3652]

@@chuckblackart thank you for the tutorial but may I ask what might be a silly question but why can't you just take one photo of the painting instead of 4 different shots that you have to then put in photoshop and join together?

[@ArtistaRachel]

Wow, this video is so informative! You are amazing for this, thank you!

[@lenefredriksen]

Wow, thaaank you! You answered all my questions!

[@jayklark1749]

Thank you for the tutorial.

[@joy-lopes]

thank you so much!!!

[@otacos4106]

I want to be a better painter someday. I am nervous and am working on a deer in a forest with snow. I can’t stop learning, because I like it to much. 😊 thanks from Elizabeth Reems

[@freespirit5130]

Very informative

[@victor.pavelescu]

Thank you for all the information!

[@tahani200]

Best tutorial !!! thank u for the effort

[@ingejustavanderhelm5208]

Hi Chuck, I always check the comment section before watching a video tutorial, just so I don't waste time.The people comment so enthusiastically, 👍 woohoo I'm looking forward watching your tutorial! :)

[@guichou01]

Thanks a lot for all that great info.

[@Debbyiamme]

Check you out; I'm impressed with all that you know about photography, too. You've got that down. I didn't expect all that you know and you explaining it all so well; so well, that an amature could understand you. You're so giving, Chuck. Thank you so much, Mr Chuck Black. You could be a really good teacher, too. LOL but I love what you're doing with your art.

[@Debbyiamme]

Another reason why I said that you're going to be the next Leonardo DA Vinci and etc and you'll go down in history. You're smart, you're very talented, you're kind, generous, your love with nature; you're just a well rounded guy and your the best of the best painter, drawer and teacher. I probably sound like I'm brown nosing or something by now. LOL NOT, it's all true. I'm good at spotting the best of the best.

[@akmalb.6132]

Thanks

[@maggiemae35]

Awesome! But on my way to work...can't wait to watch this as soon as I get home, I have a Nikon D5200, for 2 yrs now, still trying to get a good shot of my art. Super excited to hear your techniques, but sad I have to wait until after work...lol

[@maggiemae35]

This was a VERY helpful video. Thank you so much as always for sharing. I still have to figure out my DSLR.

[@chuckblackart]

Awesome! It just takes a little practice, but they aren't too complicated once you get the hang of it

[@yellowsubmarine615]

this was so helpful thank you

[@mariakellner2221]

This is amazing, and scary at the same time,an artist has to be so much more then just painting ,tfs this great info.

[@chuckblackart]

Anytime, Maria! Thank you!

[@roxyjohnson5112]

Thank you

[@t0raneko]

That was very interesting. I wonder what kind of resolution my film SLRs produce.

[@jo-annevandermey2704]

I am a textile artist....how would you go about photographing larger works say up to the size of 90 inches wide by 108 inches long. I need to photograph for exhibition entries. Would you use the multiple photo shot method. Often they do not want touched up photos. And they want to use them in catelogues. Best video on taking art work I have seen too!

[@mofox6638]

So helpful - thank you! Wish I’d found this before I spent a day taking crap photos :)

[@chuckblackart]

Know the feeling! I still do that to this day, oh well, I guess the learning never ends! 🙂 Thanks and you're welcome

[@qwerpt9]

Amazing video~ thank u so much sensei🙏🙏