Image via Complex Original
We have entered an era where plain photos just don't cut it anymore. The filters on Instagram make us all look like professional photographers (or at least they make our lives look way cooler online). And the explosion of colors, textures, and shapes offered in an art exhibit seem like they're begging to be Instagrammed. Unfortunately, not every museum or gallery welcomes the app into their space. "No Photos" signs pop up all over art installations like angry pimples. Of course, we know you're going to do it anyway. To make sure you get the best shot, here's A Guide to Instagramming At an Art Exhibit (Even When You're Not Supposed To).
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Filters may be the best part of Instagram, but they don't always work for art pieces.
While Instagram filters make us look like professional photographers (sort of), artists don't usually create works of art with the app in mind. Some art pieces just weren't meant to be filtered. James Turrell's light installation at the Guggenheim, for one, blew up Instagram with #nofilter hashtags. And we actually believed them this time.
Reflective works are perfect for selfies.
Forget the dirty bathroom: the best kinds of selfies are the ones taken in a museum. Find a work of art that features mirrors—contemporary art is nauseatingly full of them—and make your best "OMG I'm so hot and artsy" face.
And Instagram makes neon art looks even more neon.
There's no lack of neon art in museums these days. Bruce Nauman's naughty glowing figures and Ivan Navarro's endless neon illusions (photo above) are enough to give you a headache, not to mention that Tracey Emin's neon signs made Times Square even brighter last February. Instagram makes you feel like you are really seeing the colorful lights first hand.
Art openings are good for capturing the energy of the room, but not always the artwork.
Most of the time, an art opening is more about the party than the art—there is free booze, after all. You can try to snap a few pictures of the displayed pieces, but it's more likely that you will capture a candid of one of these people. Have no fear, sometimes the best shots at an art opening are of the characters who show up to socialize. Just switch to paparazzi mode.
But you shouldn't always include people.
Undoubtedly you won't have a museum or gallery all to yourself, and other visitors have an annoying habit of popping in a picture just at the wrong moment. Only include people if it adds to the composition of your Instagram. Otherwise, just give them dirty looks until they leave. They just don't understand your art!
Sneak pics when security guards are distracted.
At most openings, pictures are not allowed, but sometimes you just can't resist. Wait till the security guards (and those bitchy PR ladies) are turned away, and snap to your heart's desire. Hiding behind another visitor helps. So does silencing your phone and turning off the flash, obviously.
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It's easier to do this when you are outside.
It's a whole new game for an outdoor installation. Similar to animals, people feel the call of the wild out in the open, meaning they're more likely to do something stupid like climb a sculpture. While security guards are busy worrying about visitors devolving into apes, you can easily take some Instagrams. Plus, sunlight is the best filter there is.
But when you're inside, a flash doesn't always help.
Flashes tend to wash out pieces under harsh museum lighting. A better option is to use the brightening tool once you've uploaded the Instagram. Also, you'll probably get told off for using a flash by a museum employee, and that's just embarrassing.
Crop your images to center the work of art.
If you're taking pictures in a rush (especially if you're doing it on the sly), Instagram makes it easy to crop out whatever looks bad. Just center the work of art for the best result.
Don't be lazy about your angles.
A painting exists in 2D space. You do not. Combining these two dimensions does not always turn out well. If you snap a picture of a painting from an odd angle (as opposed to straight on), it looks like you didn't even try. No filters will help you fix that.
And for the love of God, make sure paintings look straight.
We all know that the museum didn't hang a painting so it looked slanted, so when you take an Instagram, make sure you line the corners up. Once again, fancy filters don't make up for your dumb mistakes. Your Instagram followers don't want to see that.
Close-ups are nice.
Some of the most beautiful works of art are filled with textures and details that you only see up close. Use filters to bring out the best of the painting like this work made of discarded liquor bottle packaging from the El Anatsui exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum this summer.
And so are distance shots.
Massive works need some distance to be fully appreciated. Here is another El Anatsui work where you only get the full impact of the gigantic tapestry from a distance (too bad all those people got in the way).
Even boring art looks cooler on Instagram.
If we're being honest with ourselves, a lot of contemporary art flooding the art market right now just isn't that exciting. Help the artwork out with a cool filter. Also, your Instagram followers will think you're so sophisticated and totally get Minimalism.
