This is my third post on photographing artwork using a DSLR, and hopefully the last. This video is the culmination of a decade of research as well as years of purchasing and trying various equipment. The TLDR is that I’m able to get great results as far as color calibrating the camera with a C1 IT 8.7 card from Coloraid.de and Lumariver Profile Designer software. Combined with a used DX camera from Nikon, a used macro lens, softbox lights, polarized sheets over the lights, and a circular polarizer on the lens, it’s possible have a very professional set-up for a reasonable investment. Probably less than the cost of one session with a professional photographer.
For capturing more detail for archival purposes, I’ve found that a full frame, large-sensor Nikon gets very good results.
I hope you enjoy the video.
P.S. I’ve put Amazon affiliate links in this post, but I personally bought my lenses and camera body from small local camera shops. Given the current situation, it’s better if we all try to support small businesses. It also allows you to check the shutter count, see that everything works, and sometimes they even offer their own warranty.
Hello Marc, thank you so much for taking the time to create this video. The care and attention you apply to each and every aspect is truly an art form in itself. I can believe that this is the outcome of a ten year project and I’m grateful you share your hard earned insights with us.
Great video, thank you for taking the time
I am surprised you suggest working in sRGB, not Adobe RGB
Most of not all the newer inkjet printers geared for art repro easily handle Adobe RGB, with a couple closer to Pro Photo ie P9570 etc.
sRGB has a smaller gamut and tends to clip off lighter yellow, blues, reds, pinks etc.
I jokingly call it small RGB even though its Std RGB, and was told it was designed to offer similar color space on various devices ie phone, computer, projector etc.
Im coming at this from the giclee/ printer side, not publishing, so take it with that in mind
Cheers
Peter
Hi Peter,
This was really just for digital images. I personally find printing so much more complicated, and I’ve never been particularly happy with the results even when professionals did everything. I also have no experience with giclees.
Thanks for your input. For people interested in printing there is probably another video (or three) to be made.
Dear Marc,
Thank you for sharing your experience and time. Some links are not valid anymore. I would like to ask you to do us a favour write down the names of that equipment.
Best,
Lee
This is wonderful. Thank you for doing this, and keep up the awesome paintings!
Great, thorough video, I especially appreciate the budget-conscious nature of some of your advice. However, FYI for those watching, a lot of newer phones (sadly, mine included) have now gone to “virtual” proximity sensors instead of the old laser based ones. And if you have such a phone, none of the light meter apps will work, they just say “no light or proximity sensor discovered” or something along those lines.