Shoot Images, Video and Post to Social Media

How to shoot images, video and post to social media with your smart phone!

Cell phone photography:

As an artist, taking high-quality photos of your artwork is crucial for promoting and sharing your work. While professional photography equipment can be expensive, you can still take great photos of your artwork using just your cell phone. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to best photograph your artworks with a cell phone. Always try and represent your artwork as close as possible to the original in terms of color, brightness and scale. What you present must resemble the artwork as accurately as possible.

Clean Your Lens

Before taking any photos, make sure to clean your phone’s camera lens. Fingerprints or smudges on the lens can affect the quality of your photos.

Choose the Right Location

When photographing your artwork, it’s essential to choose the right location. Natural light is the best option, so try to take photos near a window or outside on a sunny day. Avoid using artificial light sources as they can create unwanted shadows and distort colors.

If you’re taking photos outside, make sure that the sunlight is diffused, such as on a cloudy day, to prevent harsh shadows. You can also use a shade or a diffuser to soften the light and avoid harsh shadows.

Use a Neutral Background

To showcase your artwork, it’s important to use a neutral background. A plain white wall or poster board works well as a background. Ensure that the background is flat and free of any wrinkles or creases to avoid any unwanted shadows or reflections.

Position Your Artwork Correctly

The positioning of your artwork is critical when taking photos. Center your artwork, and ensure that it’s level with the camera. Use a tripod or prop up your phone against a stable surface to prevent any blurry images. Make sure that your phone is perpendicular to the artwork to avoid distortion.

Adjust the Exposure

Most cell phone cameras have an option to adjust the exposure of your photo. This can help to bring out the details and colors of your artwork. Experiment with adjusting the exposure until you find the right setting for your photo.

Edit Your Photos

After taking your photos, you may need to make some adjustments to the brightness, contrast, or saturation. There are many free photo editing apps available for your phone, such as Snapseed or VSCO. These apps can help you make your photos look more professional.

Take Multiple Shots

Taking multiple shots of your artwork from different angles and distances will give you a variety of options to choose from when selecting which photos to use. You can also try taking photos with different lighting conditions to see which produces the best results. Must haves are 1. Straight on, 2. Side angles (left and right) and 3. some close ups of details and textures.

Use the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a photography technique that can help to make your photos more visually appealing. Imagine a grid of nine squares, and position your artwork along the lines or at the intersections of the grid. This will create a more balanced and visually pleasing composition.

Extra tip.

If your artwork is already framed, you can use black card to reduce the highlights coming off the glass. Just get a black piece of cardboard, but cut a hole in the center for your lens to peak through and use the card over the cell phone, to reduce and almost eliminate any reflections or glare

What to look our for in different artworks

1. Paintings: For paintings, it’s important to position your cell phone camera directly in front of the painting to avoid any distortion. Try to get as close as possible to the painting while still keeping it in focus. Adjust your exposure to capture the true colors and details of the painting. If its under glass use the black cardboard tip.

2. Drawings: Drawings can be more challenging to photograph because they often have subtle shading and fine details that can be lost in a photo. To get the best shot, try to position your phone directly above the drawing, so that it is facing straight down. This will help minimize any distortion and capture the details of the drawing. Consider using a photo editing app to adjust the brightness and contrast to make the drawing stand out, but still resemble the original as close as possible.

3. Sculptures: When photographing sculptures, it’s important to capture the texture and dimensionality of the piece. Try to position your phone at different angles to capture the different perspectives of the sculpture. Consider using a background that contrasts with the sculpture to make it stand out. You may also want to experiment with different lighting to highlight the sculpture’s shape and form. Side window light will give the sculpture more dimension, created by the light and shadow
4. Jewelry: Jewelry can be tricky to photograph because of its small size and reflective surfaces. To get the best shot, try using a plain background that contrasts with the jewelry, and make sure that the lighting is even and not too harsh. Use a macro lens or the zoom feature on your cell phone camera to capture the details of the jewelry. Consider taking multiple shots from different angles to showcase the piece in its entirety.

5. Mixed Media: Mixed media art can incorporate a variety of materials and textures, so it’s important to capture the details of each element. Try to position your cell phone camera so that it captures the full scope of the artwork, and experiment with different lighting and angles to showcase the different materials. Use a photo editing app to adjust the brightness, contrast, and color balance to make the artwork pop.And as usual keep it as close as possible to the original artwork

Remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles, lighting, and settings to find what works best for your specific artwork. With some patience and creativity, you can create stunning photographs of your art with just a cell phone camera.

In conclusion, taking great photos of your artwork with a cell phone is possible, as long as you follow these tips. Remember to choose the right location, use a neutral background, position your artwork correctly, adjust the exposure, edit your photos, take multiple shots, clean your lens, use the rule of thirds, and the black cardboard trick. With these steps, you’ll be able to showcase your artwork in the best possible way.

Software you can use to edit your images:

• Adobe Photoshop: Photoshop is a professional-grade photo editing software that offers a wide range of tools and features for advanced editing. It’s a great option if you’re looking to do complex edits, such as removing objects from a photo or adjusting colors and tones in fine detail. However, it can be quite expensive and may have a steep learning curve for beginners.
• Adobe Lightroom: Lightroom is a simpler, more streamlined photo editing software that’s great for beginners and those who want to edit their photos quickly and easily. It offers a range of presets and filters that can be applied with just a few clicks, as well as more advanced tools for adjusting color, exposure, and other settings. It’s also available as a mobile app, so you can edit your photos on the go.
• GIMP: GIMP is a free, open-source photo editing software that offers many of the same features as Photoshop. It’s a great option if you’re on a budget or don’t need all the advanced features of Photoshop. However, it may be less user-friendly and have a steeper learning curve than some of the other options.
• Canva: Canva is a popular graphic design platform that also offers basic photo editing tools. It’s a great option if you’re looking to add text or other design elements to your photos, as it offers a range of templates and pre-designed elements. It’s also very user-friendly and easy to use.
• Pixlr: Pixlr is a web-based photo editor that offers both free and paid versions. It offers a range of basic editing tools, such as cropping, resizing, and adjusting brightness and contrast, as well as more advanced features like layers and filters. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use photo editor that doesn’t require any software downloads.
• Snapseed is free, easy to use app

What should I use in the image editor? Go through all the options and experiment. Start with Brightness, contrast, saturation, and white balance, crop, & perspective – this should do the trick, giving you good quality images of your artwork.

Ultimately, the best software for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to try out a few different options to see which one works best for you and your workflow.

What we use: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Express. Iphone and Android built in editors.

How to plan and shoot Videos:

1. Plan your content: Before you start filming, plan out the content of your video. Consider what you want to showcase, what techniques you’ll be using, and any interesting details or stories you can share. Make sure to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish with the video.
2. Invest in good equipment: A modern smart phone has excellent video features, and will enable you to shoot and edit on the phone
3. Film in good lighting: Lighting is key to creating high-quality videos. Try to film in a well-lit area with natural light or soft, diffused artificial light. Avoid harsh or uneven lighting that can cast shadows or distort colors.
4. Use different camera angles: To keep your videos interesting, use different camera angles and perspectives. Try filming from above, below, and different sides to showcase different aspects of your art process or artwork.
5. Invest in a gimbal or selfie stick to get smooth video footage
6. Include music or narration: Adding music or narration to your videos can help keep viewers engaged and interested. Consider using music that complements the mood or theme of your video, or recording your own narration to provide context and insight into your process.
7. Edit your video: Once you’ve filmed your content, edit your video to create a polished final product. Cut out any unnecessary footage, add transitions or effects as needed, and adjust the color and lighting to create a cohesive look. Consider adding text overlays or captions to provide additional context or highlight important details.
8. Share your video: Once your video is complete, share it on social media or your website to reach a wider audience. Consider using hashtags or tags to make it easy for people to find and share your content.

By following these tips, you can create engaging videos that showcase your art process and artwork in a way that’s both informative and entertaining.

You can upload direct to Tiktok or Instagram using their software to edit and add text and music etc or you can do it in the following software programs on your cell or desktop/laptop/ipad

1. iMovie: If you have an iPhone, iMovie is a great option for editing your cell phone videos. It’s a free app that offers a range of features, including video trimming, adding music and sound effects, and adding titles and captions. It’s user-friendly and easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners.
2. Adobe express – very fancy and has plenty of free templates
3. Adobe Premiere Rush: Adobe Premiere Rush is a mobile and desktop app that offers a range of video editing tools, including trimming, color correction, and adding transitions and effects. It’s a great option if you want more advanced features than what’s offered by iMovie, but still want a user-friendly interface.
4. FilmoraGo: FilmoraGo is a mobile app that offers a range of video editing tools, including adding music, transitions, and text overlays. It’s a good option if you want to edit your videos on the go, as it offers a range of features in a mobile-friendly interface.
5. PowerDirector: PowerDirector is a mobile app that offers advanced video editing features, including chroma key, slow motion, and multi-track editing. It’s a good option if you want more advanced features than what’s offered by other mobile apps.
6. VivaVideo: VivaVideo is a mobile app that offers a range of video editing features, including trimming, adding music and sound effects, and adding text and stickers. It’s a user-friendly app that’s great for beginners.

Ultimately, the best video editing software for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. It’s a good idea to try out a few different options to see which one works best for you and your workflow.

What we use: Slow Fast, VLLO, imovie, Tiktok, Adobe Express and Instagram as well as iphone and android video editing

Be Authentic and post the way if fits your personality and lifestyle – be true to yourself first.

Basic tips on social media posting:

1. Post regularly: One of the key ways to keep your audience engaged is to post regularly. This helps keep your content fresh and ensures that your audience is regularly exposed to your brand.
2. Use visuals: Visual content tends to be more engaging than text-only content, so try to incorporate images, videos, and other visuals into your posts.
3. Tell a story: People are often drawn to stories, so try to tell a story with your content. This could be a personal story related to your brand, or a story about your products or services.
4. Be authentic: People respond well to authenticity, so try to be genuine in your content. Share your real thoughts and feelings, and be honest about your successes and failures.
5. Use hashtags: Hashtags can help increase the visibility of your content and make it easier for people to find you. Use relevant hashtags in your posts to help attract a larger audience.
6. Encourage engagement: Encourage your audience to engage with your content by asking questions, running polls, or hosting contests. This can help build a sense of community around your brand and keep your audience engaged.
7. Respond to comments: When people engage with your content, make sure to respond to their comments and messages. This helps build a personal connection with your audience and can lead to increased engagement over time.

By following these tips, you can create social media content that’s engaging, authentic, and helps build a strong connection with your audience.

Best advice is use the amazing free world of information on youtube to learn anything you set your mind to! Enjoy the process and be authentic to who you are as a person!