Preparing Digital Images for Entry

USING IRFANVIEW FOR RESIZING IMAGES


Carol Baker has put together instructions on how to resize your photos for entry.


Please click the following for instructions:

 

Using IRANVIEW for resizing images for specific instructions.

 

Using PHOTOSHOP for specific instructions.

 

Using PHOTOSHP ELEMENTS for specific instructions.

 

Using PREVIEW ON A MAC for specific instructions.

 

TIPS ON PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR ARTWORK
AND PREPARING DIGITAL IMAGES FOR ENTRY

 Photographing:
1. Use a digital camera of at least 10 megapixels
2. Set camera’s resolution to highest setting (large)
3. Shoot several photos of your paintings, photo quality is enhanced with use of a tripod.
4. Aim the camera at the center of the piece
5. Place the painting so its surface is parallel to the camera lens
6. Be sure to square the image with the plane of the camera lens. Use an easel or attach the painting to a board  or wall to keep it steady.  Using a white or black background is helpful.
7. Do not use a flash; you will get good results if you shoot outdoors in the shade. Avoid shooting at dawn or dusk; the warm lighting will alter your artwork’s colors.
8. Import images into your computer.
9. Use a photo-editing software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements. Most computers have a photo editing program.
10. Save your original photograph; make a duplicate.
11. Working from your duplicate image, straighten or rotate your image if necessary
12. Use the cropping tool to crop your image.  Only the painting should show, as it will when it is matted.
13. Do not adjust the color, unless it is necessary to make the image look more like the painting.
14. In the Image Size dialog box, reduce your image to 1800 pixels on the longest side. Be sure the box to constrain proportions is checked if applicable.  You must also change the dpi (dots per inch or pixels per inch) to 300.
15.  Rename your saved file.  (Should be first four letters of last name, first four letters of first name, then – title.)  (You may abbreviate the title).
Example: A painting by Mary Smith called “The Storm” would be labeled  SmitMary-Storm.jpg.
Do not number your image.
16. Save image as .jpg to maximum quality.

17. Email the image as an attachment (do not embed it in the body of the text) or save image onto a CD for show submission as specified in the prospectus.  Some computer e-mail programs, such as MacIntosh, automatically re-size photos to 72 dpi if you attach them to e-mail as a “picture”. This can be avoided by attaching images as “files.”If the image is manipulated to not faithfully show the painting, the painting will be disqualified.

Digital Requirements:
Image size: 1800 pixels on the longest side
Resolution: 300 dpi
File Format: jpeg–highest quality

File Name Protocol: 
First 4 letters of Last Name, First 4 letters of First Name, hyphen, title.
Eg. SmitMary-Storm.jpg

Tips on Photographing your Artwork