Taking a Better Photo

[foggle]

Been having some trouble with this for a while, and wasn't sure where the best place to ask was, but I figured I'd at least get some responses here. Basically, what's the best way to take a phto of your artwork?
Whenever I do I end up with it looking too dark, or blurred round the edges. Does anyone else have a particular set up for taking this sort of photo, or do they just do it snapshot style?

[Morbid]

Heres an old thread on the subject:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=64587

[foggle]

gah, I searched for it and couldnt find it, but it turns out I've even looked at that thread before, cheers for the link anyway

[JustinBeckett]

Hmm, i find it is best to take your paintings outside, "when it is not raining" of course, take them outside into natural light. Use a tripod if you can and snap the photo, most the time this works for me, other times it doesnt...

[filmbox]

Yeah... outside is best. I have a friend who props his paintings up at sort of an angle so there are no shadows and uses a tripod. If your shots are too dark you may want to bracket (shooting multiple exposures) to insure one the pics will be exposed correctly. Also try and use a medium lens (50mm ish) so there is no distortion to your image. (That may account for the issues with the edges).