Taking photos of your sculpture

How to photograph your sculpture

A photocollage showing a complete view of the sculpture and three close ups to show details.

How to photograph your sculpture

When you’ve made a sculpture it is important to take photos of it so that you, the sculptor, can share it with people who can’t come and see it. You might need to capture what it looks like if you can’t keep it.

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Where shall I take the photos?

Think about where your sculpture is in space so that your photos show the audience what the sculpture is like, with no distractions.
You’ll need to think about:

the background

what the sculpture sits on

the lighting

Thinking about where to take the photos

A table with a white top and white boards creating a plain background behind.

It is useful to set up a space where the photos can be taken. This might be a table or a corner of the classroom where each sculpture can be placed and photographed.

Everyone in the class might use the same set up or there might some materials available so that each of you can make some choices about backgrounds and layout.

Thinking about the background

A photo of materials that can be used to create backgrounds, including paper, card, fabric and foamboard.

It is usual to choose a plain background that allows your sculpture to stand out. This might be white, a neutral colour (like grey) or black depending on what colour your sculpture is. There could be a wall of the right colour in your classroom or you might use pieces of card, foam board, fabric or paper to make the right background for your sculpture.

Try out different backgrounds for your sculpture to stand on and in front of and choose one that makes your sculpture stand out.

Thinking about what the sculpture sits on

A photo of various plastic and cardboard boxes and crates laid out on the floor

Choose whether your sculpture needs to sit on a plinth (a box shape) or on a flat surface. This will depend on its structure, size and shape.

Think about the colour of the plinth or flat surface just like you thought about the background you planned earlier.

Try out some plinths for your sculpture to sit on.

Thinking about lighting

Choose a place that is light enough to allow the audience to see your sculpture. This could be indoors or outdoors. Often the light changes outdoors as the sun goes in and out and its hard to know when the light will be just right so its more usual to take photos indoors, perhaps beside a window. You might want to think about whether there are too many shadows or too much glare which will mean that audience can’t see your sculpture clearly in the photos.

How shall I take the photos?

Think about the device you are using and how you can use it effectively so that your audience can see your sculpture clearly.
You’ll need to think about:

Keeping the device still

Making sure the sculpture is in focus

Placing the sculpture in the middle of photo

Views of the sculpture