Art, Artwork Photography And Adaptation For Tri-Valley Artists

Artists have been responding to the pandemic in a variety of ways to keep their creations accessible in a time when face-to-face contact is neither a feasible nor safe option.

There have been livestream art shows, virtual tours of galleries and museums and online performances of music and theatre. One aspect of representing visual artwork that has been at the forefront to the online pivoting process for artists is photography.

The challenge of giving the viewer or potential buyer a close approximation of the actual visual artwork whether it’s paintings, ceramics, jewelry, fabric art or another form, has not been as important to artists as it is now. It requires an adaptation in working style and a consideration of whether artworks are in 2D or 3D format and how these can be captured for maximal impact for digital display.

Formally this was primarily an area for artists with online stores but now every artist who would like to continue to showcase their work has to hone their photography skills or consult a professional photographer.

Three Tri-Valley Arts nonprofits, the Pleasanton Art League, Livermore Arts Association and Dublin Arts Collective have been collaborating to support artists in their transition to mostly virtual operations through hosting topical online events. Their online presentations to the community were bolstered by Zoom funding provided by KeyPoint Credit Union and a grant from the City of Dublin.

The first was event was Zooming Forward which was preceded by a Zoom Orientation session for artists new to the app. The event included updates by Beth Okurowski, President of PAL, Clark Streeter, President of LAA and Sawsan Wolski, President of DAC, a report on the first virtual Paint Pleasanton event by Lorraine Wells and a practical demonstration by watercolorist Meghana Mitragotri. Ms Mitragotri’s demo aimed to make hosting online arts classes more accessible to artists who may be intimidated to make this transition on their own. The event was also attended by Rachel Osajima, Director of the Alameda County Arts Commission who encouraged artists to apply for relief grants to alleviate some of the income constraints experienced by artists and arts nonprofits during the pandemic.

The second event, held last night, featured a discussion by Paul Kratter, judge for the 11th PAL Members’ Show, who gave feedback to winners and insight on the elements of the artwork that resonated with him. This rare opportunity for critique and to hear a judge’s perspective on selecting and reviewing artworks on a digital platform rather than physically, highlighted the importance of photography in the process. The Zoom event was called "Photographing Your Artwork – Shooting for Success".

The Winners of PAL’s Eleventh Annual Members’ Show
Four Seasons Award (Theme)

• Chandana Srinath—“RUTHU-Life Cycle In Seasons”

Merit Awards

• Marie Pascal—“Rain For Christmas”
• Lynda Briggs—“Wanderland”
• Emelie Rogers—“California Poppies”
• Vanessa Thomas—“Morning Revival”
• Wei Ting Chuang—“The Words of West Wind”

Honorable Mention Awards

• Mark Mertens—“Reflections of Diablo”
• Robyn Leimer—“Winter’s Wonderland”
• Ron Rigge—“Sunol Respite”
• Susan Helmer—“Big Boy”
• Eugenia Zobel—“Mr. & Mrs. Hot Chocolate Mugs”

Mr Kratter congratulated all winners and was particularly taken with the Four Seasons Theme Winning artwork “RUTHU-Life Cycle In Seasons” by Chandana Srinath. The complete list of entries and artwork can be viewed on the PAL website.

Comments made to some of the winning artists included suggestions on where to improve the photography of their pieces. It was appropriate then that the second half of the event focused on photographing artwork and included panelists Helene Roylance, ceramicist and product photographer, Geoffry Faulkner, President of Tracy Camera Club and Rita Szöllös, author and Instagrammer.

Dublin Camera shop Mike’s Camera also supplied a bespoke video for the event containing useful tips and guidelines for photographing art which can now be viewed online.

The panelists shared their experiences and expertise with photographing artworks of all kinds and also how to leverage apps like Instagram to make art accessible to a larger audience. Of particular value were tips and tricks to manage glare and disperse light in addition to considering position of artwork relative to the camera.

A useful set of resources was provided for artists as they tackle the challenge to capture their creations for online display.

Online programming to support local artists will continue in the new year with the next Zoom event scheduled to continue the discussion on photographing artwork with the emphasis on post processing of images for various online purposes.

PAL is currently accepting registrations for their thirteenth annual show at the Museum on Main, “Imagination Expressed.” David Wagner, an art instructor at Las Positas College, will judge the show. Ribbons and Gift Cards to Way Up Art and Frame will be given. Changes due to the pandemic are highlighted in the prospectus.