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12/07/2004 03:51:43 PM · #1 |
I'm interesting in getting advice, tips, hints, linked articles, magazines, or suggested books concerning putting together a portfolio. I put one together from images I took in 2004 and well it seems a little lacking. So my goal in 2005 is to build up a more professional portfolio.
I understand that putting together sports images for a botanical exhibit isnt going to work, but I'm thinking of those times when there is no specific theme and just putting together a generic portfolio to showcase work.
Anyone have any experience with portfolios? Any tips you've found along the way? Any good feedback you've gotten from people you've shown your portfolio to as in what does and doesnt work? |
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12/07/2004 03:55:50 PM · #2 |
| I am new to this myself, but I would go with a blend of themes, Colors, Content, emotions etc. |
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12/07/2004 04:03:38 PM · #3 |
I have a couple of good books on building a portfolio (have to wait 'til I get home from work to post the ISBN and titles) but here are a couple of concepts that seem to be consistently emphasized.
1 Build a portfolio that demonstrates a particular style. It's better to have 4, 5 or 10 portfolios that are smaller and more targeted than to have 1 or 2 that are broader and may not contain as direct a message to a potential client.
2 Use only your strongest images. Be critical of the strength of images and throw out anything that you think might be too weak. Once you've gone through your portfolio, solicit opinions and keep the clear-cut cream-of-the-crop.
I can't say that I've done that. Then again, I'm still working to learn the craft so I feel that I have few enough "strong" images. I'm just relaying what I've read. One of the books even has exercises throughout where they show you 4 or 5 photos and you have to select the weakest image so that it can be removed from the "portfolio". At the end of the book they give you the answer that they expect and an explanation as to what made the selected image the "weakest" based on the portfolio that you were charged with creating in the exercise.
Kev |
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12/07/2004 04:08:39 PM · #4 |
Personally, I try to use images that are unique, if not crazy (but still 'technically' good) that shows MY style..not what I think people will like. Your portfolio is a showcase of what you do, not what people might want you to do.
You never ever know what someone will like or be interested in.
Edit: Kevin's point #2 is worth noting.
Message edited by author 2004-12-07 16:09:29. |
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12/07/2004 07:10:45 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by GoldBerry:
Personally, I try to use images that are unique, if not crazy (but still 'technically' good) that shows MY style..not what I think people will like. Your portfolio is a showcase of what you do, not what people might want you to do.
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Kind of an odd business plan, if you are wanting someone to hire you. I think you would want to show images that people would like. You can love everything you shoot, but if your client (or prospective client) doesn't like it, you aren't making money.
Edit: typo
Message edited by author 2004-12-07 19:11:20.
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12/07/2004 11:43:47 PM · #6 |
Found one of the books.
Photo Portfolio Success
A Guide To Submitting and Selling Your Photographs
by
John Kaplan
ISBN: 1-58297-210-9
$ 27.99 USD
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12/07/2004 11:45:41 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by KevinRiggs:
Found one of the books.
Photo Portfolio Success
A Guide To Submitting and Selling Your Photographs
by
John Kaplan
ISBN: 1-58297-210-9
$ 27.99 USD |
Thanks for that, I'll certainly look into that book! |
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