How do I make top quality 2"x2" 35mm slides?

Question:

How do I make top quality 2"x2" 35mm slides?

I need to take some quality 35mm slides of my artwork. These 2x2 slides are steadily being phased out, and are being replaced by digital 'slides' on a CD, but I need to know how to make the 2x2 type to send to some art shows I am applying to.

I bought some 35mm film already. Its called "Elite Chrome. 200 film. For Color Slides". Is this film good? Is there a way to make a 2x2 slide with a digital camera instead of using film? Is the quality as good?

Again, it is my slides that will make me or break me. I am competing against other artists' slides. How do I create the best slides possible for the jury?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Easy question first: No you do not make slides using digital camera. You use the traditional camera (film camera).

The elite Chrome is a good film (I think Kodak, right?) It is OK for copying art. Usually lower number ISO are higher in contrast and the colors comes out stronger than the original.

Now the hard part, making copies of art work. Professionals usually have whole copy stations. But since that may be too much, let's talk about doing the best without a copy stations.

First go outside on daylight. If the day is overcast (but still bright) just lay the picture at approx 45 degree to a wall and take pictures using your film camera (no flash). You can use more or less angle (like using a art easel). But the closer your picture come to stand straight up the more likely hood you get darker area at the bottom. Just be be careful that there's no strong color (green grass, red brick wall, etc.) because they can cast some color on your art work. Also you may want to have a neutral color background setup (like a bed sheet) just. You may also want to photography with and without the frame.

Get closer than what the camera view finder shows (because you'll always capture little bit more to the left, right, top and bottom than what the view finder shows. A SLR camera is best because regular Point and Shoot P&S camera have parallex (viewing angle error). Experiment a little and note how much is too close and how much is too far (every camera is different).

Now if you have a sunny day, you got little bit more to do. You have to create an artificial overcast day. You do that by throwing a white bed sheet (another white sheet) over the art work (and yourself). The (white) bed sheet creates an overcast day effect. Remember your have to completely cover the art work (like you are inside of a white tent). If you have any part that's open you will get strong side (or top or bottom) light in that direction.

The reason you want to do this outside is because your slide film is BALANCED for daylight. If you shoot indoors, you have to use 2 side lights (daylight balanced light bulbs) or 2 flash (or more if the picture is big). And you also have to worry about reflections and such.

If your art work is framed (under glass) it is best to remove the glass. It is very hard to photograph with glass and not get reflection. Also it is best if you use a tripod, but I had some luck hand holding the camera. Just make sure you "bracket" your exposure. What that means is that whatever your camera chooses, shoot once at camera's choice of exposure, one shot overexposed and one shot underexposed (about 1/2 stop each). So that comes out to 3 shots per art piece (at least).
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See this link

http://www.rickleephoto.com/rlartcopying...

He is mostly interested in doing things in studio. But much of what he says is still true for outdoors also (like perspective control, reflection, etc.) Everything would be true except the lighting (wich is handled by overcast daylight or white light tent / bed sheet - in your case).

Good Luck

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