Guidelines and tips

Quality photography will ensure your work is seen at its best for Follow the Thread publicity. Whether you photograph your own work, or engage a professional photographer, the mantra is: allow ample time. Work backwards from the entry deadline and incorporate photography into your timeline. (Please note: Photos should be uploaded by 20 October through the ‘Further info entry’ page on the WAFTA website.)  

 Good photographs for the Follow the Thread exhibition will:

• focus on the artwork. Make sure the artwork is central and a good size, against a simple background that does not distract. 

• be an accurate representation of your work. Make sure the colours in your image match the colours in the work

• be sharp and not blurry. Check your images are clear, with well-defined detail. Ensure your images are sharp and crisp when enlarged.

The following guidelines and tips may assist you when photographing your work.

Camera setup

• Use a good digital camera/phone (minimum 3 Megapixels is helpful).

• A tripod and self-timer are a good idea to keep photos sharp.

• Turn off the camera flash.

• Set the camera for the highest quality available and the highest resolution that delivers JPG images, at around 3Mb in size. For the more technically minded: use manual settings for white balance (match current lighting conditions – sun, overcast etc.) and switch off camera settings that increase contrast and enhance sharpness.

Setting up for the photo shoot

When photographing your artwork, use diffuse, bright light that is evenly spread (do not photograph in direct sunlight or at night). A simple option is to place your work near a window with a white sheet or white cardboard on the opposite side so that light is reflected and bounces from various directions. 

Avoid shadows unless they are a deliberate part of the artwork’s structure and display. Harsh shadows (the result of direct light, rather than diffuse light) are not good.

Use a white or neutral coloured backdrop – a large piece of paper or fabric, for example. Keep it clean, seamless, and not wrinkled.

When photographing 3D plinth-based works (or similar), use a seamless background by attaching a sheet of paper to the wall and draping down onto a table to avoid a visible join line between table and wall.

Always position the camera/phone to be central and parallel to the artwork. If it is tricky to shoot your work 'face-on' or upright against a wall, you can photograph it by laying it on a neutral backdrop on the floor. Make sure to position your camera parallel to the edges of the work, so your device is directly above your artwork, not at an angle.

If artwork is to be framed behind glass, make sure the work is photographed prior to framing. 

Image quality & submitting images

Images must be submitted as JPEGs, at 72–300 dpi (300 dpi is ideal), with a file size between 1–3 MB. Please check your images meet the requirements prior to submission. (Resolution and image quality can be reduced through making changes such as cropping, colour correction, resizing, or resampling/re-saving images.)

Please submit images following these guidelines:

• Include a full image of the work in its entirety, with edges/borders included.

• Images must be of completed work, not work in progress.

• The work should appear as you wish it to be reproduced in the online catalogue and other media.

• Do not add your name, watermark, or any other text to the image itself.
   

For any questions, email the WAFTA committee, at exhibitions@wafta.com.au and we will respond as soon as we can.