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
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