Professional photographer Don Gregg of Santa Fe, N.M., photographs art quilts for books and websites. Here are his recommendations for capturing a professional-style photo.
The essential equipment for photographing quilts? A tripod is indispensable as it ensures stability; a cable-release (attaching to the camera's shutter button) steadies the shot; and a zoom lens reveals high-quality details of the composition in the frame of the camera.
For an indoor shoot, Gregg recommends:
- Hang the quilt on a black background to enhance the quilt's beauty.
- Darken the room and use tungsten lights to control shadows. Tungsten lights can be purchased or rented.
- Position lights at a 45-degree angle on both the right and left side of the quilt.
- Attach a polarizing filter on the lights and camera. Adjust the filter to darken and to add more contrast to the quilt.
- Gregg uses 50 SA--a slow film because it is high in color saturation.
For an outdoor photo shoot, quilting expert Alex Anderson recommends:
- Attach clothespins and cords to the bottom corners of the quilt and anchor the ends down with buckets filled with water (figure A) to contend with gusts of wind.
- Use 200-speed film.
- Shoot with the lens parallel to the quilt. First, focus on the center of the quilt and either zoom out or move the camera to frame a precise shot.
- Take at least three pictures of each quilt: one photo of the entire quilt and two photos of the details.
Extra considerations for preserving quilts:
- For quilts hanging in direct sunlight, even indoors, consider applying sunscreen specifically made for quilt protection. As a precaution test the sunscreen on the fabric first for color fastness, etc.
- If quilts are to be placed on the ground for picnics, consider laying a tarp down first to protect the quilt from stains, bugs and moisture.
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