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IMG_7097

Helen Martell

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Can anyone help with a basic question... when I try to photograph larger canvasses, the edges of the canvas appear to 'curve' in the photo. How can I fix this?

Sylvia Evans

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Not a problem I have experienced Helen.  Possibly whatever you are taking the photos with ?  I use my trusty little iPad and get good results.  Put them on the floor in good light, stand above then ,snap pics .  Then edit in “ photos” . Usually have to crop them .  Maybe it’s in the cropping.  Sorry can’t help any further .  Usually someone here can. 
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Alan Green

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What I find, using an iPhone 7, is that the phone has to be more or less perfectly parallel to the art you're photographing or the photo distorts. I guess it's something to do with the tiny lenses in phone cameras. If you've got access to a dedicated camera (I use a Canon EOS400 DSLR which has a viewfinder) the problem doesn't seem to occur but then you've got to faff about connecting  your camera to your computer to get to the photo.
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Tony Auffret

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I get that too, with my Nikon.  Doesn't seem to matter what focal length I use.  I usually end up cropping the image in GIMP - an excellent and free photo manipulation package.

Alan Bickley

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Stand further away from the artwork, then zoom in onto it, that will solve the problem.

Bari Marsh

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I use a free phone app called scan it takes 5 photos one centre and one on each corner then amalgamates all 5 to make the  finished picture..it also removes any reflections from glossy surfaces or glass..

Bari Marsh

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Alan Morris

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Can anyone help with a basic question... when I try to photograph larger canvasses, the edges of the canvas appear to 'curve' in the photo. How can I fix this?
Helen Martell on 08/09/2021 21:17:01
What you describe here is known as “pincushion lens distortion “ in photography circles.  It’s counterpart where the edges curve the outward is known as “barrel lens distortion”.  These are common problems caused by the curvature of the lens and most decent photo editing software can correct it.  Pin cushion distortion tends to be worse with longer focal lengths so you could try using a wider angle lens.  Stepping back from your painting and not filling the frame to the edge may also help, you would then need to crop off the edges.  By and large iPads (and other similar devices) process out the distortion as the photo is recorded inside the device… and they are very good at it. Hope this helps. Alan Morris 
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Helen Martell

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Thanks for all the advice. I will try the stand further back and zoom in method first. I use a digital camera (if I want to use the image in future for cards or prints), and am not particularly savvy with editing on the computer (apart from the few things I have learned how to do).  My husband can do all that with his eyes shut, but its such a chore when I ask him to help! I take photos with the ipad too, if just for sending a progress update to someone, or putting on my social media art page.  I will have to bite the bullet and invest in a new ipad soon though, as mine is now so old (9 yrs), I can't view some websites, including my own,  and can't download the latest apps or update existing apps. I can't justify the expense right now though! (Will have to sell some more paintings... 😂)

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by Helen Martell

Alan Bickley

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That will work Helen! All the software in the world won’t help if the initial photo isn’t correct! I take all my photos outside but definitely not in the sun, I’ve had limited success taking them inside the house. A dullish day is perfect.