Uploading High-Resolution Images of Artwork to Sell Online

I feel like I have to address the issue of uploading high-resolution photos of artwork to sell online. Because this stressed me out so much, I felt like this issue in a separate post was necessary--it is so important and time-consuming! There are so many things to consider when starting an art website. Taking photographs of your artwork so that you can display and sell online is very important and very difficult. If you persist, the feeling of gratification when you see your art online for the first time is AMAZING!

Things to consider:

-Camera with high resolution capabilities (and someone to use it!). My camera is just 'ok', so I had to find someone with a professional camera to help me out. We will be meeting up in a few days to take the photos. Until then, the photo of the flower above was taken with my kind of crappy camera and the pixel dimensions are 2773 x 1867. I would like to double or triple the resolution. Bottom line, you may have to hire someone to do this for you or scan your prints at a shop.

-Good lighting is key--natural light works well...you don't want glare.

-The higher the image resolution, the larger and better quality the print will be (especially important if you sell prints on demand--some sites have a minimum resolution size). THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!

-How you save your images...different file types are required for different websites (jpeg is a good file type to use as it is common and good quality image)...some websites only allow certain file types so check into this.

-Security: Watermarks on image sometimes distracts from art as does compressing the image (which some people do so that the image gets distorted when enlarged--in an attempt to discourage theft)...some print on demand sites (such as fineartamerica.com) has a build in protection so people can't steal your images...that where I am planning on selling my prints so that I don't have to worry about theft of my images. You need to put some thought into how you will be protecting your images online.

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