How to take photos of artwork/craft projects

[happydog]

Hi, I hope this is the right place to post my question. I want to either scan in or take some pictures of my kindergardener's artwork and crafts projects so I can do a little memorial of her school year.

For the flat items would I get a better quality picture if I simply scanned in the artwork versus taking a photo of it? What is the best way to photograph pictures and small crafts? I don't want any background, so I tried placing the objects on a white table and shooting from overhead but ran into problems with shadows and lighting.

Any help or tips would be pathetically appreciated. I just want to get these items onto my computer and out of her closet. We've got 12 more years of school and at the rate she's going I'll run out of closets by 3rd grade. :D

Thanks!

[ljameso1]

I think you'd get better results scanning. Photographing a flat art piece can be a royal pain.

[ricklepage]

I agree with Linda - scanning the flat items is the way to go.

On the three-dimensional items, a couple of well-placed lights, a white (or single-toned) background and a tripod are the way to go. You can even go with the cheap floods (with the scissor clamps) you can find at the hardware store. Just make sure you are using the same type of light, so you don't get weird color problems.

Rick

[happydog]

Thanks. I did use the scanner for most of the flat work. The others I set in a white bookcase and shot them.