Good photographs are the foundation of a useful digital record. You do not need studio equipment — you need indirect daylight, patience and a few habits that professional registrars rely on.
Light comes first
Photograph near a large window on an overcast day, or outdoors in open shade. Avoid direct sun, mixed light sources and the camera flash: all three distort color and flatten surface texture.
Shoot every side of the object
A complete record includes more than the image itself:
- the front, square-on and filling the frame;
- the reverse, including stretcher, labels and stamps;
- the signature or monogram, as close as your camera allows;
- details of texture, damage or repairs;
- the frame, if it is original or notable.
Keep the camera parallel
Tilted photographs distort proportions. Rest the work upright against a wall, step back, and keep the camera at the height of the work's center. A kitchen chair and a stack of books make a serviceable tripod.
Do not edit
Resist filters and automatic enhancement. A slightly dull but faithful photograph is far more valuable for documentation than a flattering one. Maison Levit's image pipeline preserves your original file alongside optimized versions.
Name your files
Before uploading, give files meaningful names — the inventory number and view, such as ML-023-front. Future you will be grateful.