six tips for photographing outdoor sculptures

1. Wait for good lighting. Sculptures are hard to move into good lighting - it's easier to wait for it. Light from the open sky, without direct sunlight, is best. Bright sunlight will exceed the range of your film or digital sensor. If the sculpture is in direct sunlight, you could photograph it early in the day before sunlight hits it, or later in the day when shadows from buildings or trees move over it.

2. Look before photographing. View the sculpture from different angles to find the most interesting viewpoints. Usually the best angle for a face will be a profile view or a 3/4 view.

3. Move away. To find the best perspective move as far away as you can and use your zoom or a long lens to frame the sculpture. If the sculpture is on a pedestal, try to find a raised area to shoot from that will bring your camera up to the level of the sculpture.

4. Watch the background. Tree branches which appear to be growing out of your sculpture's head, or people in the background will distract from your subject. Move your point-of-view or wait until the distractions move out of the frame.

5. Exposure. Meter from an area that is mid-tone, not in direct sunlight or deep shadow. If your camera allows you to save meter settings, move up to the statue to meter it, and then back to your chosen viewpoint to photograph it. Watch out for traffic and don't trip over anything!

6. Crop. Don't forget to take close-up shots to isolate details you find interesting. It's better to crop in the camera than later on. You can move closer for these, or zoom in.