First art show - wanna help? - DPChallenge Forums

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

05/03/2021 08:35:32 PM · #1

Originally posted by vawendy:

. . . But my main question is did you win the first place in photography for overall photography -- not just for one particular photo?

Yup! it was for best photography! [/quote]

Well huge congratulations, then. Really well done. Everything else pales (and should pale) in comparison. So glad they recognized quality.

05/03/2021 08:21:41 PM · #2

Originally posted by nam:

Congratulations on a successful first show. Success should always be measured by how you FEEL about things - from the interactions with visitors and other artists to which images sell to how proud you are of how you felt your booth and work and you measured up - not on how much money you did (or did not) make.
Two take-aways from the sales: always suggest that you can hold a sold piece to be picked up later (even a little later) for the "customer's convenience"; and subtle and unusual may well surprise you.

But my main question is did you win the first place in photography for overall photography -- not just for one particular photo?

Yup! it was for best photography!

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

05/03/2021 08:19:55 PM · #3

JulietNN

Canon EOS-7D

Tamron 16-300mm Di II VC PZD MACRO w/Canon Nikon mount

05/03/2021 08:04:21 PM · #4

So cool and well done on another Blue!!!

This thread is actually really informative. It should be in the Learn section somehow!

sanders

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

05/03/2021 04:57:35 PM · #5

Cool... glad you had a good experience.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

05/03/2021 04:53:17 PM · #6

Yay!

It sounds like you knew what to do all along! Good for you! See? You were smarter than you thought! :D

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

05/03/2021 04:45:56 PM · #7

Great outcome Wendy!
Sounds like you had some weather challenges that you overcame... what's an outdoor event without some weather challenges, eh? Bet you have some specific ideas as to what to do for "next time."

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR

05/03/2021 04:41:58 PM · #8

Thanks, everyone!!!

It went better than I expected, and you helped me do things the way I wanted to do them (and just hadn't figured it out yet).

I was worried in the beginning. I had decided that I wanted to do more of a gallery style -- higher prices -- definitely not bins with lots of prints. It seems like the bins gives you a reason to not go for the big stuff and search for a cheaper alternative. It also seemed like it would take away from the highlights.

I worried that I made the wrong decision. I saw other photographers have inexpensive small prints, and I noticed that they were selling some. However, I didn't see them taking anything off their walls. And while their framed and matted photos looked much more finished that my mounted only photos, they were all white mats. I don't like white mats on photos. It's actually my least favorite choice.

I ended up selling 3 of my 16x20s and one smaller print. And what was really fun -- it was my favorites that sold!

The first one was:

Which I thought was my best showpiece.

And then I sold TWO of

I was lucky on the one with Moriarty. One lady bought it, but didn't want to carry it around the show. So I left it on the wall. 10 minutes later, another lady wanted to buy it! I told her it was sold but that I could take an order.

The first place in photography was for overall photography -- not just for one particular photo. And it carried a cash prize.

So all in all, it was a fun day! And my tent didn't blow awy, even though it tried quite hard to.

Oh, by the way, the chair and table were supposed to be together in the back corner to look a bit cozy. But it was so windy, the chair served as a wind block for one wall, and the table as a wind block for the back wall!

streetpigeon

05/03/2021 03:57:39 PM · #9

I'm very happy that your show went well and your work was graced with a blue ribbon. It must feel great to put yourself out there and be appreciated. You certainly are appreciated here for your kind spirit and, well duh, your beautiful photographs.

hajeka

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM

05/03/2021 11:27:39 AM · #10

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by Lydia:
That is AWESOME, Wendy!

I'm so excited about your BLUE! Not surprised... but excited!

I can't wait to hear how it all was.

I cannot add more (mathematically), but what a lovely looking exhibition!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

05/03/2021 12:52:51 AM · #11

Originally posted by Lydia:

That is AWESOME, Wendy!

I'm so excited about your BLUE! Not surprised... but excited!

I can't wait to hear how it all was.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

05/02/2021 06:11:31 PM · #12

That is AWESOME, Wendy!

I'm so excited about your BLUE! Not surprised... but excited!

I can't wait to hear how it all was.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

05/02/2021 06:02:55 PM · #13

I'm completely exhausted, and will write more later.

But thanks, everyone!!

Drake

Nikon D850

04/25/2021 10:59:20 PM · #14

Originally posted by vawendy:

Thanks for the book ideas!

Your question about pricing: I sell my 12x18 prints on a foam board with a clear sleeve - for $20 each. I have them in print racks in my booth. My cost (since I print these myself) is only about $4 each. I sell my 11x14 matted (with 8x10 print), for $25 each, also in print racks.

Your question about signing: I sign all my work, prints on paper, canvas, metal - with a small signature in the bottom corner. I also attach a sticker to the back of each item with my name, phone, e-mail, web site and FB information.
Drake

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

04/25/2021 09:51:10 PM · #15

As for signing on front or back, I would sign on back if at all . . . and somehow let it be known that you are willing to sign on front should buyer want print signed - or sign on a mat should he or she want to mat and frame and prefer that. Though, as the general said, maybe signing on front isn't even practical given the substrate?

I know buyers have definite preferences, but no one is in a position to guess what those may be for an unknown buyer. Since this is a local show, I should think what I'm suggesting would be some way possible . . . or possible in some way.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/25/2021 08:57:47 PM · #16

Originally posted by vawendy:

Originally posted by GeneralE:
ETA: For pricing limited editions, I'm thinking of them as partial shares of an outright exclusive sale. If you would be willing to sell (give up your copyright) to an image for $5,000 and you were offering a limited edition of 50, then each should be base-priced at about $100 and then scaled up depending on print size.

That's an interesting way to think about it... I'll ponder that for awhile.

Let me know what you (and others) think -- I just thought of it while considering your problem.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/25/2021 08:06:26 PM · #17

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I myself won't do limited editions because I don't want the responsibility of keeping track of how many are made, and being prepared to defend my information in court.

I think you can sign/number the prints on the back, but maybe not if mounted on plastic. If they were paper prints intended for framing you could sign/number them in a blank border intended to be covered by a mat.

ETA: For pricing limited editions, I'm thinking of them as partial shares of an outright exclusive sale. If you would be willing to sell (give up your copyright) to an image for $5,000 and you were offering a limited edition of 50, then each should be base-priced at about $100 and then scaled up depending on print size.

That's an interesting way to think about it... I'll ponder that for awhile.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/25/2021 07:03:07 PM · #18

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

04/25/2021 06:20:55 PM · #19

I can't give help on any of that, but I'm very interested in knowing what you come up with and how your sale goes!

Please take photos of your booth and share them with us!!

04/25/2021 04:30:48 PM · #20

Ok -- we're coming down to the wire. The art show is this coming Sunday, and I'm in panic mode!!

There's still a couple more questions:

1. Limited Editions: This show wanted limited editions. I can't see that as a problem, because who knows how many of these I'll do. Some say have large numbers, some say small, some say it doesn't really matter. Should I do Editions of 25? 50? Does it really make a difference because I won't sell any?

2. I hate my handwriting. Do you sign your prints on the front? That seems like it would distract from the print. Since they're limited edition, does that mean I should sign and number on the front so people can show off it's limited edition? (seems rather pointeless to me, but my husband thought perhaps I should)

3. I still have absolutely no clue what to charge. Everything says figure out how much it costs. But since this is my first art show, and I've gone through at least 5 cameras, 20 lenses or so, sweat, blood, and tears, the few prints I've printed should probably run about $2,300 for an 8x10. So obviously that method won't work.
I don't buy artwork, so I don't know what would be an acceptable price range for a 12x18 or 16x20 print -- not metal, just a high quality print mounted on black styrene, with a limited quantity run of 25, for example.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

04/25/2021 04:20:26 PM · #21

Thanks for the book ideas!

glad2badad

DJI Mavic Air 2

Sears 55mm f/1.4 M42

04/20/2021 11:23:11 AM · #22

Snapfish.com has some crazy coupon deals frequently. I've used them for a few books for vacation trip photos and so on � seemed decent enough for me.

sanders

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

04/20/2021 11:08:50 AM · #23

I have done a few coffee table books just for myself... mostly with 11 by 14 and 40 pages. Also did a couple of 8.5 by 11 for a present for someone. I used Photobook Canada.

04/20/2021 10:56:00 AM · #24

Originally posted by nam:

What did you decide on, Wendy?

I ended up doing prints with a black sytrene backing. Metal ended up being way too much. Canvas was ok, but not all that interesting. So they're prints, but rigid, so they can hang fine that way.

Now I need more help:

I want to print out two coffee table sized books for people to look through. I'm surprised how expensive they seem to be! I thought books had gotten much cheaper.

1. Have you done coffee table books?
2. What size do you like?
3. Most importantly -- where do you get them printed?

Thanks again! I'm going to go set up a tent in my living room. :)