This document provides instructions for current and new students applying to the PSA Art Program on how to create a digital portfolio for their application. It covers how to properly photograph artwork, refine photos in Photoshop, set up a Flickr account to host images, and how to submit the online application form along with a portfolio set on Flickr. The portfolio should include a range of 10 images of different mediums. Tips are provided on photographing drawings, sculptures, and digital artwork to showcase skills in various concentrations for the program.

1. Portfolio Workshop
For entrance to the PSA Art Program
William Cromar, MFA
Lecturer, New Media in Art

2. Portfolio Workshop
For entrance to the PSA Art Program
Photographing work
Documenting digital media
Photoshop refinements
Flickr account
Online application

3. The wrong way to photograph your art:
• Walk up to your art hanging on a wall.
• Bring the camera to your eye.
Photographing work
• Take a snapshot.
Documenting digital media
Photoshop refinements
Flickr account
Online application

4. A good way to photograph your art:
• Choose a good camera. Don’t have one?...
• Go to the Library: check one out from Media Commons
Photographing work
• http://mediacommons.psu.edu/
Documenting digital media • ... but even a point-and-shoot can work
Photoshop refinements
Flickr account
Online application

5. A good way to photograph your art:
• Choose the highest megapixel setting
• Turn off flash
Photographing work
• If possible:
Documenting digital media • set ISO to 100 and aperture to F/8
Photoshop refinements • Choose a fast shutter speed
Flickr account • White balance the camera
Online application • Clean the lens with soft, lint-free cloth

6. A good way to photograph your art:
• Select a location:
• Inside: use a pair of lights equally spaced
Photographing work
• Outside: avoid direct sun... find shade on a sunny day
Documenting digital media • Place your art upright:
Photoshop refinements • Inside: pin or hang on clean wall or backdrop material
Flickr account • Outside: Nearly vertical sheet of cardboard with
Online application backdrop material... lean or pin art to it

7. A good way to photograph your art:
• USE A TRIPOD
• Center your image
Photographing work
• Level camera with 2D artwork: planes should be ||
Documenting digital media • Shoot 3D work from a logical eye level
Photoshop refinements • Composition should include background... we’ll crop later
Flickr account • If available, use a delayed shutter to avoid jostling camera
Online application

8. If you have digital artwork:
• Convert Illustrator (vector) to highest quality JPEG
• Images from slideshows, videos: screen-capture to JPEG
Photographing work
• Videos: Flickr supports 90 second, >500MB clips
Documenting digital media • See Photoshop refinements for image quality tips
Photoshop refinements
Flickr account
Online application

9. Don’t fear Photoshop:
• Available in 343 Woodland
• Download images from camera and inspect for:
Photographing work
• Good detail in lightest and darkest areas
Documenting digital media • Whitest areas should not be COMPLETELY white
Photoshop refinements • Blurriness: not much to do except retake the image
Flickr account • Refocus camera or introduce more light
Online application • Dust: Dust&Scratches can work but better to retake

10. Don’t fear Photoshop:
• Problems Photoshop can help with:
• Distortion: this is known as “keystoning”
Photographing work
• Use Edit>Transform>Perspective and adjust
image against drag-out guides
Documenting digital media
Photoshop refinements • Color adjustments: due to incorrect white point
Flickr account • Use Image>Adjustments>Color Balance and
Online application adjust to take out tinting... watch white values

11. Don’t fear Photoshop:
• Cropping and editing final image:
• Use drag-out guides and the toolbar Crop tool
Photographing work
• EQUALIZE background around image... keep some
background so the edge of the work can be seen
Documenting digital media
Photoshop refinements • Maintain a MINIMUM of 1000 pixels
Flickr account • Use Image>Image Size to inspect pixel dimensions
Online application • Save As... create the highest quality JPEG possible
• Set to 12 with the slider and Baseline (“Standard”)

12. Set up Flickr portfolio:
• You MIGHT already have one... but create NEW portfolio
• Upload 10 images: include a range (drawing, sculpture,
digital, etc.) regardless of intended concentration
Photographing work
Documenting digital media
• A common oversight: set images to be PUBLIC
Photoshop refinements • Instructions are on the sample PSA Portfolio at
Flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamcromar/sets/72157627167645545/
Online application

13. Apply Current PSU Students
• Application is ONLINE and FREE
• Full submission includes:
Photographing work • A PSA Portfolio Set on Flickr
Documenting digital media • A Portfolio Submission - Current Student form
Photoshop refinements • Instructions and form are available at
Flickr account http://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/majors-programs/majors-abington/art/apply/sub
Online application

14. Apply New PSU Applicants
• Application is ONLINE and FREE
• Full submission includes:
Photographing work • A PSA Portfolio Set on Flickr
Documenting digital media • A Portfolio Submission - New Student form
Photoshop refinements • Instructions and form are available at
Flickr account http://www.abington.psu.edu/academics/majors-programs/majors-abington/art/apply/nsps
Online application

15. Media Concentrations
Drawing +
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Ceramics

16. Art at Penn State Abington
http://www.abington.psu.edu/art
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penn-State-Abington-Art-Program/178986435492483
http://newmediaabington.pbworks.com/w/page/25846414/New Media Wiki
Bonnie Levinthal | blevinthal@psu.edu
Yvonne Love | ymm1@psu.edu
William Cromar | wrc11@psu.edu