 |
 More on the Directories |
|
|
|
We are happy to see that most members now appear in the regional directories. But we still have a number of members who do not show. We have 1518 members showing in that directory out 1625 total members, so there are 100 members who don’t show. If you are one of those members, here is what to do: go to your main admin page and click on the Navigation Bar button. Locate the Contact line and then click on Edit. Use the region drop-down menu and highlight your state/country. Click Save.
As to the category and subcategory directories, if you don’t appear in them, that is easy to fix. Again, go to the main admin page. Then click on About You. At the bottom of that page, you will see two drop-down menus, one for categories and one for subcategories. Choose the ones that apply to your work. For example, you may do paintings and prints and your subcategories could be landscape, seascape, figurative and abstract. You will want to appear in the directories for all of these items. Select paintings, then hold down your Control button and select the other ones from the two drop-downs. Then click Save.
The two directory main pages are beginning to get a fair number of visitors, so it’s important that you appear in them.
Associate members do not always appear in the Category directories. We are adding that feature for them, but if you would like us to do it manually right now, please let us know and let us know which category and subcategories you would like to be in. Here is the Category Directory main page: http://www.artspan.com/Category/
|
|
Update on the New Artspan Design |
|
|
|
The new design is almost done, we are coding it now, so by mid-month, it should be up. It incorporates a very understated and elegant design. As importantly, we believe the new look will make it easier for visitors to search for member artwork.
This is the second major redesign in six months. This was not something we planned, but we felt it necessary as we got feedback on the current design. The current design is a nice one, but it can be a bit busy and thus confusing for the visitor
|
|
Articles Section |
|
|
|
As some of you know, the new Articles section went live a month ago. It is beginning to attract visitors, quite a few in fact – it is the most clicked on link on the Artspan homepage. But it needs more content. We would hope that you would have something you might contribute. Something that might interest either the artist community or collectors.
When you add an article, always link it to your website. Just as you would do if you post on the Forum. Incidentally, those of you who do not yet belong to the Forum should consider joining. When you do register, put your domain name in your signature line so that it is indexed each time Artspan is spidered by the search engines
|
|
How to Photograph Paintings |
|
|
|
We see a lot of images that have glare, are distorted as to the dimensions or have other major flaws. This kind of thing really detract from the visitors experience of the artwork. The good news is that it’s not hard to shoot art.
Here are the rules you need to follow:
- Hang the painting on a vertical surface (wall). Best is gray or off-white background.
- Put two photofloods at a 45-degree angle from the work so the light falling on the work is evenly dispersed and does not reflect directly back from the surface. If the artwork continues to show glare, use polarizing filters in front of the photofloods (you may be able order these and the photofloods from your local camera store or online). Also, if there is glare, use a polarizing filter on your lens.
- Most of you will use digital cameras. If you use film, best is Ektachrome 64T.
- Put the camera on a tripod. Position the camera so that it is parallel to the surface of the artwork. If you don’t do this, you will see that the rectangle shape of the artwork is distorted. For example, the top of the work might appear narrower than the bottom. Also, center the artwork in the lens.
- Use a zoom lens…that cuts down on distortion. You will need to stand back a bit.
- Use a longer exposure to get more color saturation.
Shoot several times at different exposures. That will make it far more likely you get something that is usable.
|
|
Preparing Images for Your Website |
|
|
|
To further prepare your images for you website, you may probably also need to run them through an image program. For example, you may have to crop the image, resize it down a bit or adjust the color. We recommend Adobe Elements. It has a lot of the features of Adobe Photoshop but at a fraction of the cost ($80-99 vs. $700). You can download it here for Windows http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/ or here for Macs http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelmac/
Other options are Paint Shop Pro or, free from Goggle, Picasa 2. You can get that here www.picasa.google.com. But that has a lot less features than you would get with Elements. We like the idea of approaching this seriously (its your life and your work), and so suggest going with Elements.
|
|
Featured Members |
|
|
|
| Ione Citrin |
| Sculpture, paintings, collage |
 |
|
Being an artist is a life force, not a career choice. Each piece represents a fragment of my life's work. I present the world artistically as I see it, as I wish to see it, and occasionally as I once saw it. |
|
| David Wilcox |
| Photography |
 |
| I approach photography the same way as the pictorialist of the late Nineteenth century. The method of making the photograph is as important as the photograph itself. My method of paper negative printing is unique in this digital age where every copy is a perfect reproduction. No two prints are exactly the same. |
|
|
|
Legal and Other |
|
|
|
Copyright 2007. Artspan LLC. All rights reserved.
All /images are the property of their respective owners. The opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of artspan.com members.
Thoughts or ideas for future newsletters? ask@artspan.com
Technical questions or problems? www.artspan.com/help
Visit www.artspan.com today! |
|
