Photographing and Presenting Your Work Using a Smartphone Workshop with Olivia Swinscoe ARBSA
Artists working in all media and at all levels need to be able to document and present their work effectively, using the tools at their disposal. The session will look at how the same artwork may need to be photographed differently depending on whether the image is being used for documentation, promotion, online display, or submission.
Age group and abilities to be taught
- 18 years and above
- Suitable for all abilities
Course aims and skills/knowledge to be taught
- Participants will leave with at least one usable image of their artwork
- Participants will learn how to light, photograph, edit, save, retrieve, and export images of their artwork
Course outline for the day
Participants will learn how to produce photographs of their artwork suitable for a website, social media, submission form, or their own archive, using their mobile phones.
The workshop combines discussion, demonstration, guided practical exercises, and independent experimentation. Participants will work with their own artwork and receive individual support whilst developing images suitable for websites, social media, and submissions.
Part One: Photographing
- Understanding the difference between documentation and promotional images
- Working with available light
- Photographing artwork using a smartphone
- Practical exercises
Part Two: Editing and Exporting
- Reviewing and selecting images
- Performing simple edits
- Saving, retrieving, and exporting images
- Preparing images for websites, social media, and submissions
What you need to bring with you:
- Artwork to photograph
- Fully charged smartphone and charger, with access to its native camera and image editing functions, and sufficient phone storage space available
What we will provide:
- Additional artworks
- Supplementary lighting
- Simple backdrops/reflectors
- WiFi access
- Access to a sample/test submission form
Methods of assessing outcomes
- Discussion of workshop with tutor and fellow workshop students
- Completion of evaluation form
Booking information
- To book please use the ticketing system below. Alternatively, please call the Gallery on 0121 236 4353 during opening hours to book over the phone. Bookings can also be made in person at the Gallery.
- Booking is essential. Payment in full is required at the time of booking to secure a place.
- Payments are non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Places are limited to 10 people per workshop unless stated otherwise. Allocation will take place on a first-come first-served basis.
- All workshops run from 11.00am – 4.00pm with a 40 minute lunch break, unless otherwise stated. Tea and coffee will be provided, participants need to provide their own lunch.
- Please inform the RBSA Gallery when booking of any health conditions or additional needs as some workshops might not be suitable.
- A valid student ID must be provided to receive a student discount.
Cancellation Policy
- If you, the customer cancels your booked workshop, we are unable to offer you a refund.
- In the event of under-subscription, workshops may be cancelled or re-arranged. We will give you as much notice as possible if this happens and you will be able to transfer to another course or receive a full refund. The RBSA is unable to refund additional expenses, such as travel and accommodation.
- If you are booked on a workshop and do not attend on the day, a refund will not be given.
Continual Professional Development (CPD) and Copyright
- We welcome bookings from people attending for Continual Professional Development (CPD). However, our workshops are not designed as CPD. If your employer is paying for the course or you require more details about what you expect from the course, please contact the Gallery in advance before booking.
- The workshop content and any information provided (e.g. handouts, guidance notes, etc.) are the intellectual property of the artist delivering the workshop. They should not be used or reproduced without permission from the artist (e.g. copying handouts to use in any classes workshop attendees might deliver themselves afterwards).
Other information
- The workshop will take place in the RBSA Gallery, floor 1. The space will be closed to visitors and will only be used by workshop attendees. However, staff and volunteers will need to walk through the space at various points in the day to access the staff office, which is located on the same floor.
- Attendees can leave their materials in the workshop space during their breaks but the RBSA will not be responsible for any loss or damages.
- Please bring a packed lunch. Alternatively, there are a number of cafés and sandwich shops within walking distance of the Gallery.
- Please bring an old shirt or apron to help protect your clothing.
- The continuous redevelopment work in the city centre has caused increased traffic, delays, and diversions in and around the City Centre. Therefore, please allow yourself plenty of travel time, plan your route, and check your parking arrangements.
- If you are travelling by car, please ensure your car is clean air zone compliant, or charges may occur.