Digitizing artwork (drawings, prints) - polarizing filter?

mohawk · Aug 26, 2023

I'm in the process of setting up a website to showcase my artwork (drawings, prints, ...) and need to digitize them. Some of the artwork is framed with regular glass in front of them and when I photograph them the glass reflects a portion of the surroundings. From what I've read I need a polarizing filter to cancel out the reflections but i'm not sure what type I would need (circular or linear) and how I should use it. Is there someone who can explain this to me? I'd be glad.

koraks · Aug 26, 2023

mohawk said:
what type I would need (circular or linear)

Doesn't matter, but autofocus systems sometimes don't like linear polarizers. The image-wise effect is still the same.

Keep in mind the polarizer will only help if you use (a) polarized light source(s) to light the artwork. With diffuse light, you'll still have reflections depending on how you set up the lighting.

In the repro world, the usual solution is to fit a polarizing filter over each light source and use a polarizer on the taking lens as well. This allows for more control. Setting up the lights is still key, so start experimenting with that.

jeffreyg · Aug 26, 2023

If you can set the light source at 45 degrees from the art (one source on one side and one on the other) as with a copy stand you shouldn’t need the polarizing filter

wiltw · Aug 26, 2023

jeffreyg said:
If you can set the light source at 45 degrees from the art (one source on one side and one on the other) as with a copy stand you shouldn’t need the polarizing filter

Sometimes textured surfaces will cause reflections of the angled light, so polarizer on lens can help eliminate surface sheen from the texturing.
The filter on the lens would have to be compatible with your camera...most modern cameras require circular polarizer in order to not cause issues with AF or metering.
Filtration for light sources would involve sheets of linear polarizering material.

Jim Jones · Aug 26, 2023

Polarizers can help, but setting up camera, subject, and lights with a dark background BEHIND the camera may be more effective in eliminating all reflections from plane glass in front of the subject. A doorway into a dark room works well for this.

Pieter12 · Aug 26, 2023

A word of caution: you will need polarized gels over your lights, and they must be oriented the same way, they’re usually marked with an arrow. Plus a circular polarizing filter on your lens that you will adjust to minimize reflections from glass or the medium itself. But polarizing can also alter the color of the image so it is a good idea to make a reference shot of a color chart to be able to make adjustments in post.

xkaes · Aug 26, 2023

Jim Jones said:
Polarizers can help, but setting up camera, subject, and lights with a dark background BEHIND the camera may be more effective in eliminating all reflections from plane glass in front of the subject. A doorway into a dark room works well for this.

Well said!!! You've got reflections coming from lots of possible angles, and any polarizer (on camera or on flash) will only handle reflections from one angle. If possible, reduce all reflections as much as possible, and if you are lucky, a polarizer might help get rid of what's left.

mohawk · Aug 26, 2023

Thank you all for the tips. I'll try setting up (diffuse) lightsources in 45° angles to the frame first. Might be enough for what I need. If it doesn't work I can still invest in polaroized gels or sheets and filter.

Thanks again!

MattKing · Aug 26, 2023

mohawk said:
what type I would need (circular or linear

koraks said:
Doesn't matter, but autofocus systems sometimes don't like linear polarizers.

Some metering systems - the ones that employ beam splitters - also need the circular type.

btaylor · Aug 26, 2023

I needed to digitally copy a bunch of old family photos for my siblings. Some were in frames with glass, and there was every kind of surface finish. For simplicity I put a polarizer on the lens and 2 sheets of polarizing gels on the lamps set up at 45* to the surface. I did work in a darkened room. Once set up I could rip through the photos, no adjustment needed after the initial set up.

Pieter12 · Aug 26, 2023

A couple of tips--I used to document paintings for a friend--place a pencil or a chopstick in the center and perpendicular to the art and pointing at the camera. The shadows on either side should be equal in length and density and lined up with each other. Also, make sure the camera is parallel and centered with the art, even if you are using a copy stand. You can correct for distortion in post, but it doesn't hurt to be a close as possible with the original photo.

Alan Edward Klein · Aug 27, 2023

Fine Art America which displays and sells people's art has a forum where they discuss how to photograph. If you photo artwork is less than a certain size, you might be able to scan it at Staples or another commercial scanner.

My friend Mel Greifinger who's passed away had his paintings with them that he photographed to digitize.

Photographing Art

Hi all,I’m new to FA and I am struggling to photograph my art so that it is not pixelated when zoomed in and that the colours show true to the painting. Does anyone have any advice to improve the quality of my photographs? Thanks

fineartamerica.com

Mel Greifinger Art

Shop for artwork by Mel Greifinger. Purchase canvas prints, framed prints, tapestries, posters, greeting cards, and more. I grew up in the Bronx, New York and have been drawing since I was six years old. I used to copy picture's I found in books and magazines.I went to high school at The...

fineartamerica.com

cliveh · Aug 27, 2023

Remove the glass.

Digitizing artwork (drawings, prints) - polarizing filter?

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btaylor

Pieter12

Alan Edward Klein

Photographing Art

Mel Greifinger Art

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Digitizing artwork (drawings, prints) - polarizing filter?

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