Q: I paint in acrylic, on both Masonite panels and paper.
When photographing my paintings, do I shoot the image with or without
the frame as part of the presentation? Should works on paper be shot
with a mat?
A: All artwork—regardless of whether it’s on paper,
(Masonite) board, or canvas—should be photographed without a mat or
frame. The mat draws attention from the artwork. When entering a
competition, an artwork that is photographed in a mat or frame could be
rejected for this very reason. Art photographers will place the artwork
against a black background.
--by Camille LaPointe-Lyons