How to photograph art for an estimate
A specialist can tell a lot from a few good phone photos. Clear, straight-on pictures in even light get you a faster and more reliable estimate.
Light
- Use daylight from a window, not direct sun and not the flash
- Turn off overhead lights that cast a yellow tint
- Tilt the work slightly or move to the side to remove reflections on glass or varnish
The front
- Stand directly in front and hold the phone parallel to the work so the edges are straight
- Fill the frame with the whole work, frame included
- Take a second photo of the image only, without the frame
Details that matter
- The signature and date, close up and in focus
- The back: canvas, stretcher, panel, labels, stamps, inscriptions
- For prints: the edition number and any blindstamp
- For sculpture: all sides, the base and any foundry mark
- Any damage, close up
Measure
Measure height then width of the image (and depth for sculpture), without the frame if possible, in inches or centimeters.
Free auction estimate
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Questions
Can I use my phone to photograph art for an estimate?
Yes. Modern phone cameras are fine; what matters is even daylight, no flash, holding the phone straight, and close-ups of the signature and back.
Past auction results on ArtSell are not valuations or guarantees; an estimate is an opinion of the likely auction range, and authorship is confirmed by the house before any work is offered.
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