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Photograph wall art for an online listing
For an online listing photograph wall art with two similar lights about 45 degrees either side, a plain background and a straight-on camera, then add an in-room shot and a close-up so shoppers can judge scale and texture.
Two-light setup from Expert Photography. Top view; schematic.
Shots a listing needs
| Shot | Why | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-on main image | Neutral background, two lights at about 45 degrees; change angle or distance if glare shows | Expert Photography |
| Framed view | Include a photograph of the piece framed if you sell it framed | Artfinder seller guide |
| In-room or lifestyle | Shows scale on a wall or in a room | Artfinder, Shopify blog |
| Detail close-up | Shows texture and detail, helps a buyer judge scale | Artfinder seller guide |
| Angle variety | Close-ups, eye-level and bird's-eye views | Shopify blog |
Glare and settings
| Point | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Edge glare | Change the light angle or distance; a black flag or foam core near the camera can cut glass reflections | Expert Photography |
| Daylight shots | Use a matt surface, avoid gloss walls and table tops, soft even light, no flash | Artfinder seller guide |
| Starting camera settings | ISO often 100; aperture about f/5.6 to f/11; roughly 80 to 100 mm on full frame | Expert Photography |
| Platform file limits | 2048 x 2048 px recommended square image; maximum 4472 x 4472 px and 20 MB (that platform's own limits) | Shopify blog |
The settings are starting points from one guide, and the Shopify figures are Shopify's own limits, not a rule for other platforms. Artfinder and Expert Photography give no file size. For a photograph that will be used to make a print, see the separate guide linked below.
Steps
- Pick a neutral backdrop. Use white, grey or black; a bright coloured wall can shift the colour balance of the photo.
- Set two similar lights. Place one on each side of the piece, each about 45 degrees to the wall, and adjust angle and distance until reflections on glass or varnish disappear.
- Shoot the main image straight on. Keep the camera square to the piece so the edges stay parallel.
- Add a framed or in-room shot. Show the piece on a wall or in a room so a shopper can judge its size.
- Add a close-up. Zoom on texture or detail, because detail and texture help a shopper judge the piece.
- Check file size. Check the platform's image limits before upload and avoid very large files that load slowly.
Sources
- Expert Photography: the easy guide to photographing artwork (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Artfinder seller guide: secondary images, hints and tips (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Shopify blog: product photography (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased; each page was fetched and read on 2026-11-12. Where two sources differ, both are shown. Image-size limits belong to the platform named.