Gypsoteca Image Editing — Photo Enhancement & Background Replacement

Overview

The Gypsoteca sculpture photography sourced for the ^[1] catalog requires professional post-processing before it can be used on the website or in any client-facing materials. The original photos were taken on-location in the crowded Pietrasanta workshop without art direction, resulting in a range of quality issues. Asymmetric's design team is responsible for remediation.

This article documents the known issues, required treatments, and asset delivery requirements.

Known Photo Quality Issues

Contrast & Exposure

Several photos from the primary photographer (Angelica) were returned for re-shooting due to insufficient contrast. Even the improved shots may require further adjustment in post. The client (Matthew Hart) flagged this explicitly:

"There wasn't enough contrast in the pictures. Some of it is really not, like I'm really disappointed in it."

Treatment: Levels/curves adjustment to restore tonal range. Evaluate each image individually — do not apply a blanket filter.

Distracting Backgrounds

Sculptures were photographed in situ in the Gypsoteca, which is densely packed with works and equipment. Backgrounds include windows, overhead lighting, and other sculptures. The specific example raised was the Bernini — Apollo Pursuing Daphne, which was shot against a window with overhead light.

Matthew removed the background in Canva but was unable to replace it with anything suitable. The desired result is a contextual or neutral background (colored backdrop, burlap, drapery, or similar) that makes the sculpture read clearly.

Treatment:
1. Clean background removal (already partially done in Canva for some pieces)
2. Replace with a neutral or styled background appropriate to the sculpture's character
3. Ensure the subject has visual separation from the new background (shadow, subtle vignette, or edge treatment)

Pointing Marks on Casts

Many images show plaster casts rather than finished sculptures. Casts retain pointing reference nails (called kidini in the Canova tradition) — small metal protrusions used during the carving process. These are visible and can read as distracting or confusing to non-specialist viewers.

"You can see when it's closer up, all the sort of little pointing nails that are here and there."

Treatment: Evaluate case by case. Options include:
- Retouching out the pointing marks where they are prominent
- Pairing cast images with finished-piece images where available (e.g., the Galatea entry shows both)
- Noting in copy that the image depicts a cast, so the marks are contextually explained

Asset Requirements

Source Files

Do not rely on images extracted from the Canva document. Canva may compress or downsample images on export, and extracted files may not be sufficient resolution for web use.

Matthew Hart holds the original high-resolution files and has confirmed he can provide them. Request originals before beginning any editing work.

"We might need the original files… I don't know if extracting these, how they'll, if they're high enough res." — Melissa Cusumano

Copyright & Licensing

Before any image is used on the live site, confirm that Quarra Italia owns or has licensed the rights to it. At least one known placeholder image is in use:

• Three Graces — the current image in the Canva document appears to be sourced from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A). This must be replaced with Quarra Italia's own photograph of their cast before launch. The actual piece is nearly finished and a proper photo should be obtainable.

Matthew noted the V&A may allow image use on their site, but this almost certainly does not extend to commercial catalog use.

Action required (Matthew Hart): Audit all images in the Canva document for third-party sourcing. Flag any that are not owned by or licensed to Quarra Italia. Replace before site goes live.

Workflow

1. Matthew Hart finalizes the Canva document and substitutes Angelica's improved shots for the low-contrast originals
2. Matthew notifies Karly and Melissa when updates are complete
3. Matthew provides original high-resolution image files (not Canva exports) to Asymmetric
4. Asymmetric design team performs:
   - Contrast/exposure correction
   - Background removal and replacement
   - Pointing-mark retouching (where appropriate)
5. Edited images are staged for review before being placed into the website build

Context & Related Work

These images will be used in the Gypsoteca catalog section of the new quarritalia.it site, currently under rebuild by Asymmetric. The catalog format (PDF flip-book vs. SEO-optimized website section) is pending a proposal to Lincoln and Jim — see ^[2].

The Bloomberg quote — "the most respected carving atelier in Italy" — is a confirmed brand asset and may appear in the site design. It does not require image editing but should be noted as part of the overall visual/copy presentation.