How to Document Your Work

Tips for Uploading High-Quality Artwork

The jurors only see what you enter! When documenting your artwork for entry, make sure to take high quality, clear photos. Avoid shadows, off-center angles, and blurry or low resolution files.

Hint: Works with high-quality images are more likely to be chosen for publication and exhibition!

How you document your artwork will affect how jurors see it. The higher quality the image, the clearer it is during adjudications. High-quality images that meet technical requirements are more likely to be chosen for publications, signage, and exhibitions.

For Digital Work

Pay attention to your work’s dimensions! When creating in a program such as Photoshop or Procreate, make sure your canvas is at least 9 inches on the shortest side, and that your file is set to 300 dpi.

Increasing your work’s DPI after it’s been created will lower the image quality—so make sure you have this setting right!

For Physical Work

Watch the video below for important tips on photographing your work.

If you know a photography teacher, mentor, family member, or friend with a professional camera, consider asking them for help photographing your work.

Many smartphone cameras are able to capture high-quality images. No matter the device, make sure you review the technical requirements listed below.

If you have a scanner available and the artwork is 2D, a high-quality scan of your artwork for upload is preferred over a photograph.

Technical Requirements

Document your artwork with color photography.
Your file must be high-resolution, at least 300 dpi.
The photo should be at least 9 inches on the shortest side if you were to print it

Your Camera

Make sure to select the highest-resolution/largest file size possible in your device’s settings.
A phone in the newest model available to you will work if you do not have access to a camera. If using a phone, do not use the front-facing camera, use the back-facing camera.

Before You Shoot

Clean your camera lens using a lens cloth or microfiber cloth.
Pin artwork to a wall for a straight-on shot. This is preferrable to laying it flat on a table, which will result in more shadows.
Remove anything nearby casting a shadow on the work.
Use natural light from a window or use white lights when shooting. Do not photograph in warm or dim lighting. Bright, indirect light is best.
Use a tripod or prop your camera up and use the timer to avoid blurry photography.

While You Shoot

Watch the lighting! Avoid harsh shadows that can obscure details of your work.
Photograph 3D pieces with and without a ruler.
If taking detailed, close-up shots, get closer to the work with the camera rather than zooming in. This will keep the resolution of the photo high.
Use a neutral backdrop with a color that compliments the work. Keep to black, white, or gray.
Crop the image so just the artwork is showing, with as little of the background visible as possible.
If the artwork is framed and the frame is not a part of the piece, please remove the frame. Glass can reflect and cause distortions in the photograph.
Take many photos from different angles and with different lighting. Then, submit the one(s) you like the most.
The biggest tip of all: What you see is what the jurors will see!

After You Shoot

Do not stylize with filters or Photoshop effects. Photos should reflect what the artwork looks like when viewed in-person. Minor color adjustments are fine.
Make sure your image meets the technical requirements (300 DPI), and you are happy with it!
After saving your image onto your personal computer or cloud storage, upload it to your entry at portal.artandwriting.org. Pay attention to category requirements, which have guidelines on number of photos per work, etc.

Remember, if the photos aren’t coming out the way you want, try changing location, lighting, or camera, and consider asking for help! Time of day and weather can greatly affect lighting conditions, even when shooting indoors. Keep trying new things until you are satisfied with your results!