Creating perfect images of your work for submission

by Julie Bennett Graphic Designer, SLWA

Your aim should be to have a catalogue of images of your work at two resolutions
– for print at 300dpi/3mb
– for emailing and the web at 72dpi/500k
In this way you can instantly respond to sales enquiries or a call for artists

Here are the stages to achieve that:

1. A good photograph
If you can afford it use a professional photographer.
See a SLWA offer on the Notice board of the Website Members Page.

If you can’t, then follow these steps:
– Camera – use a digital camera set at the highest resolution
– Shoot in natural even light, outside
– Ensure no reflections or shadows and that your work is not at an angle
– Take at least 10 shots in different lights
– Shoot close, but not full frame

2. Manipulate your images
Programmes available are:
– Adobe Photoshop £500
– Adobe Photoshop Elements £50
– Microsoft Office Picture Manager
– Graphic Converter £12

Make the following adjustments
– Straighten
– Adjust light levels
– Remove reflections
– Save as a jpg (not a tiff or any other format)
– Rename file: painting_1.jpg

3. SAVE 2 versions in your catalogue
300dpi = Print = painting_1_HR.jpg
72dpi = Web = painting_1_LR.jpg

4. When you are sending your image consider what you are asked for.
High or low resolution
Rename your file so that it is recognisably yours.
e.g. juliebennett_1.jpg
Do not use a long name since this can become corrupted.
NOTE BANKSIDE REQUIREMENTS

Web/LR size: 72 dpi (800x600pixels) jpg
Naming– surname with first name initial, and the number 1, 2 or 3.:
e.g bloggsj1.jpg bloggsj2.jpg