Sequence viewing > Index - Copying Techniques - Resource - © Lloyd Godman

Copying Large Works
Sometimes we might be asked to copy a very large painting. There can be problems in lighting a work like this to make sure the light is even and also problems with perspective where the parallel sides of the work appear to slope inwards at the top. This can cause a particular problem with works that might be in a gallery and extend high above the axis of the camera. While it might be convenient to use a wider angle lens, try to use as larger focal length lens as possible - In fact the further back you shoot from the more the perspective distortion is reduced. I have even shot large works in situ from another gallery through the entrance way in an effort to reduce the problems of distorted perspective.

In this example we see X is much longer than Y. This comes about because the distance from the top of the work to the camera lens is longer than the distance to the bottom. However by moving back and using a longer lens; A is still longer than B the discrepancy is reduced more than with X to Y.

Mouse over image	Here we see the result of the camera close to the work with a wider focal length lens - mouse over and see the result of a longer focal length lens and a camera position further back.
	If we still have perspective problems there are two means of correcting this - one is with the camera by using a perspective control lens or the movements of a view camera -
	the other is by using the Edit - Transform - Distort or Perspective ( you may need to use both to get the scale of the image right. tools in photoshop   You can experiment with distort or perspective to correct the perspective - you might also find scale useful in achieving this.
	When you are doing this it help to turn on the grid through View - Show - Grid - this will give you a parallel reference point to work from.

Want to learn more? - do a workshop or one on one with Lloyd Godman