Black Dog

[papes]

Hi all,
This is my first post so have mercy. I didn't get a sharp enough photo.
Any tips on taking pictures of ones paintings? or does that appear somewhere else on the site.
This is a plein air painting I did in Ellicott City MD some time ago. Looking at it now I decided it needed some drama so I added the dog blocking the path into the painting.
Was this a good idea or not?

[DMcGowan]

I love the dog. My eye goes straight to him then up the path to the right, slide down the tree on the right jumping over the stone wall and then back to the dog again. On that little visual journey I linger over the shadows on the building and enjoy the roses and the colors of the shadows,etc. The white fence accentuates the dog again and the leaves of the tree on the left bring me to him as well. He knows that I'm looking at him, doesn't he?

[Rose Queen]

There are tons of threads on the site about photographing art, as well as two articles (click "Content Areas" above to get to the article index). If you don't find what you need, mosey on over to the Photograph forum and ask them -- a very helpful bunch!

[papes]

Thanks Donna. The dog is looking at the viewer with one red eye and one black eye in what I meant as a threatening way . A better photo might have shown that better.
So thanks Rose, I'll go do some research.
Liz

[bluemagoo]

this is nice. like the color usage.
i use a digital and take picsoutside under shade when possible. overcast is the best for lighting or shade works. keep up the good painting!
mel

[Yorky]

Nice job!

I find the easiest way to photograph paintings is to lay them on the floor and stand over them, taking the photograph looking vertically. That way you can use the edges of the viewfinder to eliminate perspective errors as far as possible.

Doug