In art photography, you hope to make pieces of art that can leave those viewing them in admiration. But art is more intricate and requires in-depth knowledge to create outstanding works. You must portray your skill by carefully selecting pattern, form, composition, lighting, and color. Moreover, there are also several technical requirements for creating an exquisite piece of art and you must master them.
Art photography typically encompasses various niches like fashion, wildlife, or creativity. It's crucial to choose one niche and pursue it to the end. You need to have the ability to translate your imagination into the image you're capturing. Your captured images can tell a story, so you need to focus on the pictures you want. Take your time to build your brand in photography so that collectors can't help but stay immersed in your work when they spot your photography.
With that in mind, below are tips and tricks to assist you in getting started with art photography:
1. Go For A High-Quality Camera
In art photography, your leading equipment is a camera. You need to capture your images in high-quality resolutions so that they display the necessary details and portray authenticity. You'd want to go to reliable stores to select your camera. An advantage is there are cameras for every level of photographer. Thus, you can go for beginner cameras if it's your first time in this hobby.
You can also find a camera depending on your budget. Your primary factor should be selecting a functional digital camera of excellent quality so you can take premium-quality pictures with it.
2. Set Your ISO
ISO dictates the camera's sensitivity to light. Typically, setting your camera to a higher ISO number makes it more sensitive to light, and the vice versa is true. However, a very high ISO level increases the noise level in the photo, making it grainy, which isn't appropriate for art photography if you intend to print the images. Thus, you'd want to use a lower ISO level to avoid grainy photos.
Another thing to note is that a very high ISO setting causes your camera to overheat, damaging the internal components and rendering the camera non-functional. Therefore, setting your camera to a lower ISO helps boost its durability.
3. Consider White Balance
The white balance setting dictates how your camera will register color temperature. You've probably seen pictures with unrealistic hues, usually bluish, which make photos appear dull. Such photographs may have been taken without a proper white balance setting. You wouldn't want your art photos to look that way. So, master the white balance settings for accurate colors.
Notably, the color cast depends on the lighting characteristics. For instance, a fluorescent bulb may yield a greenish hue while incandescent bulbs with warm light produce an orange-yellow appearance. You can't use a particular white balance setting and expect it to work in all light conditions. You have to change the settings depending on the current light characteristics.
To set the white balance, you can use the auto white balance feature if your camera has it. Alternatively, you can set the white balance manually. Press the shutter while holding a white card in front of your camera lens. The card should be in the same position you intend to snap the art image, ideally where your subject will be. The card's image acts as the reference point when setting the white balance.
You can take several shots with different exposure and focus settings to determine the appropriate one. Once on the custom white balance menu on your camera settings, choose the option ‘use WB data from this image’. All other shots will be taken with a color rendering corresponding to the settings for the white balance card image you choose.
4. Utilize Shutter Speed To Change Reality
Shutter speed is a style that allows you to freeze motion to bring a serene feeling to your picture. It's an excellent method for cars, people running or engaging in action sports, animals on the move, and ocean waters. A slow shutter lets you focus and evoke your viewer's emotions as they see the motion aspect of the photograph.
5. Explore Color And Lighting
You can take black and white photos to decrease distraction, enabling you to emphasize the message's shape, patterns, and how components come together in a scenery. Alternatively, you can use simple compositions to portray a powerful description. For instance, warmer colors like blue and orange can create a relaxed and friendly feeling and add energy.
To ensure viewers focus on the subject, you may want a monochrome background, perhaps black, white, or gray. A too-busy background may steal the attention from the subject.
Lighting is a critical bit to master. Don't mix several light types because it can make it difficult to set the white balance. While your art piece should be well-lit, too much light may result in glares, obscuring some details in your photo. That's why it's advisable to take pictures during the golden hours such as early in the morning, after sunrise, late in the evening, and before sunset. At noon, the sun's illumination may be too powerful.
However, if you're taking photos indoors, noon is a perfect time because of the abundance of light getting in through the windows. For poorly lit interiors, you may want to use artificial lights. But choose them appropriately because they may add some coloring to your images.
6. Develop Unique Ideas
Art photography enables you to convey your message or emotion. Don't copy what's already out there—it's essential to capture unique photos that'll find a place in the viewers' hearts. Although photography themes recur, strive to snap pictures never seen before. Or, if it's a commonly photographed subject, see if you can capture it from a unique angle.
7. Select A Distinctive Location
Part of the drive to uniqueness involves choosing a breathtaking location. The subject's backdrop plays a critical role in capturing the viewer's imagination. In all senses, a photo of a lady standing in front of a waterfall differs from a picture of the same lady in front of a high-rise building. So, you need to select an environment that can add more value to your art.
It's always better to use a simple background to avoid visual clutter. To reiterate, a busy backdrop may snatch attention from the main subject you want viewers to focus on. Go for simple scenes, perhaps with a single focal point like a tree, landscape feature, or building. Single out a specific subject and focus on it for a more impactful effect.
All in all, choosing a unique location portrays your creativity. The person looking at your art image will be immersed in the place and imagine how it feels like to be there.
8. Explore Personal Experiences
Creating art based on your personal experiences is an excellent idea. It enables you to tell your story through the photograph quickly and allows your audience to relate to you personally.
For instance, if you're a social worker and interact with numerous people from all walks of life, you can capitalize on this opportunity and use the people you meet as the subjects of your art photography. And if you're an off-road biker, you can always capture images of unique landscape features you encounter on your cycling trail.
9. Follow Works Of Renowned Art Photographers
A good thing about art photography is that there are a lot of reference materials you can bank on. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Thousands of art photographers have excelled in the hobby and you can borrow a thing or two from their work.
Therefore, take your time to visit art galleries to see what the pros are producing. You may also take this opportunity to network with other art photography enthusiasts you meet at such art displays. You may want to choose only one photographer and study their work in-depth. Scrutinize how their pictures are related and what makes them stand out so they can be placed in a gallery. Follow in their footsteps, and you'll gradually improve your skill and perhaps be featured in similar galleries.
10. Device Unique Artistic Statement
You should have your artistic statement written out before you begin your photography. It enables you to set precedence on what your work is all about. You don't have to make it complicated by using long paragraphs. You can use two to three lines and make your statement short and catchy. This way, it'll be easily memorable to viewers.
11. Have A Strong Online Presence
To make a mark in photography in this age, you can't ignore the online space. Currently, one of the best ways to showcase your work is by having a robust online presence. Launch a website and set up profiles on several social networks for easy discoverability.
Social media enables you to get followers quickly and have a community of peers who can share your images with other followers, making you renowned and having people interested in buying your pictures.
Displaying art on social media also lets you find people you can sell quickly. Moreover, social media sites enable you to talk to other art photographers and know about upcoming events and exhibitions you can attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is art photography?
Art photography is taking pictures as a medium for creative expression. Typically, the vision of the artist photographer is projected instead of the objective reality of the subject. For instance, you can photograph a polluted landscape to raise awareness about the effects of pollution. Viewers will note that pollution is a menace instead of simply admiring the landscape.
- Where should I start my art photography?
First, decide which type of art photography you'd like to venture in—street, landscape, portrait, buildings, or action photography. Then, study the works of renowned photographers to grasp how to make your images similar to or better than theirs. Acquire the necessary photography equipment, learn the basics, and start snapping.
- How do I buy a camera for art photography?
When buying a camera for art photography, consider features like resolution, sensor type and size, image quality, aperture, frames per second, in-body stabilization, size, battery life, and sturdiness. You may also want to buy one whose price is within your budget. You can always start with a budget-friendly one and upgrade with time.
- What are the most crucial camera settings to master for art photography?
For your piece to look authentic, you must master these camera settings: ISO settings, shutter speed, and white balance.
Conclusion
Art photography is an excellent way to express your emotions, visions, and desires while pursuing your passion. Don't hesitate to buy a new high-quality camera and start your photography journey. You can also gain monetary benefits and fame from the hobby. So, perfect your skills over time and scale to the utmost heights.
