If you’ve made it this far into the technical aspects of the Atelier Process, you’ve no doubt see reference to the x-y Easel.

What is it?  It’s an easel that moves up and down, and side-to-side by remote, wireless control (either hand-held or from the computer).  For artists, it’s the ultimate in ease and convenience.

For photographers it allows predictable, repeatable stepping of the painting, moving the work, not the camera.  The x-y Easel holds the painting safely and securely, and by moving the artwork on a horizontal and vertical axis, requires you to only light the shooting frame of the camera.  This gives you the ability to light more precisely, more evenly, and control the quality and resolution of the capture as never before. The x-y Easel is motor-controlled, allowing remote positioning while viewing through the camera or with the computer through tethering software.

For a good idea of how the system works, see this short video:

…some of the tech specs:

• Painting mounts securely to support bracket using classic artist’s easel top/bottom support.
• Motor drive will raise and lower paintings up to 60-100lbs. effortlessly.
• Precise screw-feed raises and lowers precisely and safely.
• Maximum painting dimensions without repositioning: 10′ x 10′.
• Total weight of easel: 100lbs.
• Suggested capture frame dimensions: 24″w x 16″h (optimum, dependent on resolution requirements).

The easel is controlled from a handheld remote or wired controller, and allows accurate and repeatable positioning of the art from behind the camera or at the workstation.  Featuring a robust ball-screw drive system with full linear bearings for vertical rise, and a tracked drive for horizontal movement, it can handle artwork up to 120″ high by 120″ wide, without repositioning.  By repositioning the art, wider work can be handled.

More photos are here:

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Reviews

I have done some comparisons with the Betterlight and the Pentax K1 +(x-y Easel) with the same art. While I still need to work through choice of lighting, lighting technique and raw conversion settings, I’m pretty certain that I can get a nicer and better refined image with the Pentax K1 +(x-y Easel) option… I know, you’re not surprised 😉

Certainly, larger paintings (40″x60″+) will be better with the Pentax K1 +(x-y Easel) approach…lens and lighting are troublesome at this scale… Yes. I could use a combination of the Betterlight +(x-y Easel)…at this time I’m just not interested. I’m more interested in exploring the newer sensor technology with the expanded color space, dynamic range etc…

Even now, this capture combination (Pentax K1 +(x-y Easel)) has reduced my proofing time. I can’t point my finger to just “one” thing that is making printing easier. Really it’s the combination of newer camera sensor, technique (Pentax K1 +(x-y Easel), change of lenses, and lighting technique that when pulled together is making printing easier and better looking.

I’m very happy with how the (x-y Easel) is working out for me. I’m especially thankful for the help with getting started and the follow up help you have provided. Thank you!

Kind regards,
Mark

Mark Niznik, BAMBAM GRAFix