ARTWORK CAPTURE
Photographing original two and three dimensional artwork is part analytical, and part subjective. Perfect focus, color fidelity and tonal accuracy are obviously critical, but so is the choice of how to enhance or minimize texture and reflection.
There is no formula for all types of art, because every work has its own special needs. Paintings with impasto need enough shadow and highlight to show the character of the technique, without going overboard to the point that giclees of the image call attention to the fact that they lack impasto. Works on textured paper often look best when the texture is minimized, so the original paper texture does not fight the paper texture of the print. Inflexible lighting setups from scanners treat every work the same. With our art captures, your work is treated as a unique piece, and the lighting is careful chosen to subtly enhance the detail without overpowering it.
See examples of our captures HERE.
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Medium format photography is the big brother of the 35mm SLR that most people are more familiar with. A larger camera with a larger lenses and a bigger sensor means that from both an optical and electronic standpoint, more information is captured.
The Contax 645 camera system, with a full selection of Zeiss lenses are our tool of choice. The camera is paired with a Phase One P30 digital back, which records 31.6 megapixel images that allow for large reproductions of original art or creative photography. Most files are upwards of 100 megabites when processed, without resampling. Paintings larger than 60" are shot in multiple sections and stitched together, so the art can be reproduce at full size while maintaining 300 pixels per inch resolution.
35 millimeter cameras often produce very nice results, but after witnessing the difference medium format photography provides, it is easy to appreciate the fact that sometimes bigger is better.
