Could someone reccommend....

[Kenny_Callicutt]

Hello, I am an illustrator.. I paint in oils and acrylics and for any job I get I end up running around to friends who have nice scanners or running down to a print shop to use their set up to photograph my work. I was looking into buying a camera and lights to shoot my own work but I realized I don't know shit, so I was wondering if some one could point me in the right direction? Any body have experience photographing artwork? Can anyone recommend a camer? Ive read tutorials on how to photograph the work and Ive seen it done plenty of times I just do not know where to start with the gear.

[ukanfoff]

koo koo, im a traditional illustrator major.
i would say avoid head on lighting so it doesnt show much reflection.
especially with oil paintins, those can be tricky.
i would say light em from the side with 2 lights.

[ukanfoff]

simple digicam would do, if ur just takin pix of your work...

[DigitalViktim]

We shoot artwork for both archiving and giclee printing.

It all depends on what you want to use the files for. If it's just simply to catalogue your work, then yes you could use a decent P&S digital. Shooting in natural light will always give the truest representation of your work.

If you are shooting your work in order to make high quality prints you need to shoot on medium format film at a min. A Mamiya RZ67 is a great camera for this type of work. You cannot get the proper file you require from a DSLR no matter what anyone tells you, it's not possible. If you have access to a low-end Phase One system then that's a great place to start as well. In all cases you must shoot with a 'pro' lens, consumer lenses are not good enough. Lens quality is about 80% of the equation for getting great files. Get a RZ67, 80MM or 120mm lens. If you can afford a slide scanner great, if not most pro labs will do it.

As for lighting, you can build a natural light cove if you have the source of light and this will work great. One of the key things, is you will need a mounting system for your work. A wall or rack that will keep the work perfectly aligned and perpendicular to the lens.

If you have the money then by all means 45 degree light banks are the way to go.

Keep in mind that shooting oil is the hardest of all mediums. Your final output will be different depending on when you shoot your work after completion. Drying time greatly affects the images depending on how heavy you work. Never varnish or coat your work prior to shooting, that will pretty much make it impossible to shoot properly for you. You can shoot varnished work but it's much more difficult. Always diffuse your light sources as well.

Hope some of this helps. Shooting original artwork is one of the trickiest areas of photography. If you are looking for high quality results for printing and duplication that is.