How to Photograph Work for 3D Materials and Concepts Class

DO I NEED AN EXPENSIVE CAMERA?

• No. Since I am asking you to upload a digital photo to your blog, you are able to use your phone camera. If you do not access to a camera phone, see me. 
• Be prepared to spend a few minutes adjusting lighting and cropping image either on your phone or in computer. 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

• Check the assignment guidelines for each assignment to see what type and how many photos you need for each project. 

WHERE DO I PHOTOGRAPH THE WORK?

• Use the photo studio, upstairs, to photograph your work for this class. 
• Around mid-term I will take the class upstairs for a quick visit to the photo studio so everyone is aware the studio is located. 

HOW DO I GAIN ACCESS TO THE PHOTO STUDIO

• You will need to make a reservation and check out the key from Professor Jason Schwab. 
• I will send a document with the reservation link and guidelines to your email. 
• The document will also be posted in Studio-3, underneath the clock. 
• Note: Your student ID will not open the door to the studio. 

HOW DO I SET UP MY WORK IN THE PHOTO STUDIO

• See images below on how to set up. 
• When you arrive to the studio, the table should be tucked in a corner and the lights will be unplugged, with the cord wrapped around the light stand.
• The placement of the lights should be close to what you see below. You will have to slightly adjust placement and angle of lights depending on what you are photographing. Keep lights aligned (or close to) the two front corners of the table. 

WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING

• You do not want shadows. 
• You should not see glare spots/reflections on the white background in the final photo. Adjust the lights as needed until there is no glare/reflection
• Make sure to take more images than you think you need. 
• Turn work around to get images of all sides/angles. 
• Disassemble pieces when able to show how work was constructed and/or hidden details. 

EDITING PHOTOGRAPHS

• Crop if needed. The artwork should not be surrounded by a large amount of space. However, there should be a decent amount of space around the artwork - the artwork should not be crowded in the frame. 
• Adjust lighting if images are too dark. You can do this on your phone or on your computer. Be careful when adjusting that you do not change the actual color of the artwork. 
• Look at student examples for each assignment to get an idea on how images should appear with regard to the qualities discussed above. 
• See examples below regarding editing. 

Examples of what you DO NOT want:

https://foundations3ddesign.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20to%20Not%20Photograph%20Your%20Work

This video offers helpful tips. 

.   
     Original Image                                            Edited Image - This is the image you want. 

Left - Original image - a bit dark and too much space around the artwork. 

Right - Edited Image - cropped and exposure increased a bit in editing mode. You can edit without software. When you open image on your desktop, you are in "preview" mode. Go to "tools" in top menu and select "adjust color". 

    Original Image                                              Edited Image - This is the image you want. 

Left - a bit dark and need to eliminate the upper right corner. 

Right - Edited Image - cropped and exposure increased a bit in editing mode. You can edit without software. When you open image on your desktop, you are in "preview" mode. Go to "tools" in top menu and select "adjust color". 

Make sure to use a white background. 

Black absorbs light, making it difficult to 

get bright exposure.