Posted by Graeme Lee on September 10, 2007 at 4:41 PM
please!!.......
I have the opportunity to display some of my images in a commercial environment. I haven't a clue where to start really and could do with some help with regards to potential pitfalls and also some pointers which could help make more of an impact than me going at it with no experience whatsoever.
The costs of the display will fall with me, so I'm looking for a fairly cheap option, yet I want to make it worthwhile. If nothing comes from it, then so be it as I don't do anyhting with my images except post on here and clog up my hard drive. I wasn't going to bother but I'm now intrigued as fairly keen.
I will be displaying my stuff alongside other people such as artists, sculptors and others and will have a wall space of 6 feet square.
Any ideas and people's experiences would be really appreciated.
Questions such as should I get a few postcards done?
What size images should I look to dosplay?
How many? Is less better than more?
The atmosphere is very relaxed and chilled so what about frames etc?
I have access to an Epson 1290. What sort out paper would be recommended?
Remember I have a very limited budget please
Many thanks
Graeme
Posted by Andy Astbury on September 11, 2007 at 3:15 AM
Hi Graeme - it's years since I've displayed prints so I'm a little out of touch to say the least
I always used to put my prints in frameless frames - you know the things, hardboard back and glass the same size with clips that hold the two together and your print sandwiched between.
They used to be the cheapest frame option so I'd imagine they are the same today.
If I was you I'd pick 5 or 6 of my favourite images and rework them as 16 bit tiffs and have them lab printed 12"x10" with no borders and put them in 12"x10" frameless frames, that'll work out at 5 square feet.
I know lab prints might not be cheap but if I needed prints then that's where I'd go as I find printing anything myself tedious and frustrating to say the least - but that's just me
Best of luck and hope you get some orders/good PR out of the exercise matey - your images derserve it - even if the photographer doesn't
Ask the commercial guys what other people have done when displaying at that site.
First prepare a computer show of your 20 best images - then get your friends to pick the ones they like the best - take a concenus.
Since you have a display area of 6'sq I would put up about 8 images, of differing sizes, mounted but not neccessarly framed ( as your budget is tight and I haven't a clue how strong the display board is) If you are going to frame them potentially use another mount i.e. cream mount bevel cut, then possibly a coloured mount straight cut to look like a frame. ( It also cuts the weight down)
Sizes - I would do the best one at 10*15 print size , 3@12*8 print size and 4 at 10*7.5 - then mount them, or around those sizes.
Unless you are sure of the lighting in the room, and your position, I would not recommend the use of Gloss paper as reflecting light can be offputting.
Make sure you have your laptop with you with an extended portfolio on it - just in case somebody asks to see more work.
Please sign the corner of the mount in pencil with a decent signature and a date - it shows ownership and pride in your work. Not to big, but noticeable upon inspection.
I'd get lab prints done - forget the home printing - simply as if anybody wants one you just have to send the disk to the lab again and you know what you will get back will be the same as the display one. ( for what is is worth I don't own a colour printer and haven't for the past 3 years - they are too expensive and time consuming and unless you spend ££££ on the printer, good inks and paper, then they are inconsistant when you need it most)
Get the best image you have chosen - and get in printed into a postcard - www.vistaprint.co.uk. Not thousands just a few hundred. Ensure that it has an email address on it, on the lower edge of the photograph, and the back is blank for the person to write upon. Bring about 20 bic's with you and a notepad. Don't tap their contact details into the computer... get them to write it down that way there will be no mistakes as long as you can read it.
Think about price before you go in then, when in, look to see what others are selling at. If you have to adjust your prices then do so at the start before the show begins and never deviate from your asking price by more than 15% and even then only for cash and with a lot of sucking of teeth -even at the end - I say again hold your price within reason - if somebody offers you 50% of asking then simply and politely refuse, move on, and let them come back to you. ( I could write screeds on 'marketing' but I won't)
You may get asked if they are a limited edition, decide before hand, set price accordingly. as once one is sold you can never go back that picture will always be limited. Decide what limited means - just prints or all use?
The last big problem is always "Can you frame that for me and how much would that be?" - Thats for you to decide - remember a picture framed is a nightmare to post.
Best of luck.
Posted by Graeme Lee on September 11, 2007 at 5:22 AM
Thanks guys. That's just the kind of advice I need. Sorry to be thick, but when you say lab prints, where would you go to?
I will be the only photographer displaying stuff initially, so I can't see what others are doing etc, so this has been most beneficial. Thanks again
Posted by Jeroen Stel on September 11, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Hi Graeme,
I have had an exhibition some time ago too. Instead of using paper-prints i decided to hang up some canvas-prints and this worked out really well as there where quite a few people interested in buying some.
Just a thought, hop i could help!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Posted by Graeme Lee on September 11, 2007 at 1:00 PM
Thanks a lot guys.
Good/cheap place to get postcards done? I would rather pay a bit more and get some decent ones as I have seen some from photobox and they were rather poor to be honest
Posted by Marko Trebušak on September 12, 2007 at 5:41 AM
Graeme, good luck with it! I think Tom made it for you. I would stress matt paper (or canvas if you prefer that). Glossy prints to me look cheap and you never know what light will be like, as Tom already wrote.
Cheers,
Marko
Posted by Graeme Lee on September 12, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Thanks for the advice gents......and thanks for the encouraging comments Andy
Discussion
9 repliesI have the opportunity to display some of my images in a commercial environment. I haven't a clue where to start really and could do with some help with regards to potential pitfalls and also some pointers which could help make more of an impact than me going at it with no experience whatsoever.
The costs of the display will fall with me, so I'm looking for a fairly cheap option, yet I want to make it worthwhile. If nothing comes from it, then so be it as I don't do anyhting with my images except post on here and clog up my hard drive. I wasn't going to bother but I'm now intrigued as fairly keen.
I will be displaying my stuff alongside other people such as artists, sculptors and others and will have a wall space of 6 feet square.
Any ideas and people's experiences would be really appreciated.
Questions such as should I get a few postcards done?
What size images should I look to dosplay?
How many? Is less better than more?
The atmosphere is very relaxed and chilled so what about frames etc?
I have access to an Epson 1290. What sort out paper would be recommended?
Remember I have a very limited budget please
Many thanks
Graeme
I always used to put my prints in frameless frames - you know the things, hardboard back and glass the same size with clips that hold the two together and your print sandwiched between.
They used to be the cheapest frame option so I'd imagine they are the same today.
If I was you I'd pick 5 or 6 of my favourite images and rework them as 16 bit tiffs and have them lab printed 12"x10" with no borders and put them in 12"x10" frameless frames, that'll work out at 5 square feet.
I know lab prints might not be cheap but if I needed prints then that's where I'd go as I find printing anything myself tedious and frustrating to say the least - but that's just me
Best of luck and hope you get some orders/good PR out of the exercise matey - your images derserve it - even if the photographer doesn't
Ask the commercial guys what other people have done when displaying at that site.
First prepare a computer show of your 20 best images - then get your friends to pick the ones they like the best - take a concenus.
Since you have a display area of 6'sq I would put up about 8 images, of differing sizes, mounted but not neccessarly framed ( as your budget is tight and I haven't a clue how strong the display board is) If you are going to frame them potentially use another mount i.e. cream mount bevel cut, then possibly a coloured mount straight cut to look like a frame. ( It also cuts the weight down)
Sizes - I would do the best one at 10*15 print size , 3@12*8 print size and 4 at 10*7.5 - then mount them, or around those sizes.
Unless you are sure of the lighting in the room, and your position, I would not recommend the use of Gloss paper as reflecting light can be offputting.
Make sure you have your laptop with you with an extended portfolio on it - just in case somebody asks to see more work.
Please sign the corner of the mount in pencil with a decent signature and a date - it shows ownership and pride in your work. Not to big, but noticeable upon inspection.
I'd get lab prints done - forget the home printing - simply as if anybody wants one you just have to send the disk to the lab again and you know what you will get back will be the same as the display one. ( for what is is worth I don't own a colour printer and haven't for the past 3 years - they are too expensive and time consuming and unless you spend ££££ on the printer, good inks and paper, then they are inconsistant when you need it most)
Get the best image you have chosen - and get in printed into a postcard - www.vistaprint.co.uk. Not thousands just a few hundred. Ensure that it has an email address on it, on the lower edge of the photograph, and the back is blank for the person to write upon. Bring about 20 bic's with you and a notepad. Don't tap their contact details into the computer... get them to write it down that way there will be no mistakes as long as you can read it.
Think about price before you go in then, when in, look to see what others are selling at. If you have to adjust your prices then do so at the start before the show begins and never deviate from your asking price by more than 15% and even then only for cash and with a lot of sucking of teeth -even at the end - I say again hold your price within reason - if somebody offers you 50% of asking then simply and politely refuse, move on, and let them come back to you. ( I could write screeds on 'marketing' but I won't)
You may get asked if they are a limited edition, decide before hand, set price accordingly. as once one is sold you can never go back that picture will always be limited. Decide what limited means - just prints or all use?
The last big problem is always "Can you frame that for me and how much would that be?" - Thats for you to decide - remember a picture framed is a nightmare to post.
Best of luck.
I will be the only photographer displaying stuff initially, so I can't see what others are doing etc, so this has been most beneficial. Thanks again
T
I have had an exhibition some time ago too. Instead of using paper-prints i decided to hang up some canvas-prints and this worked out really well as there where quite a few people interested in buying some.
Just a thought, hop i could help!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Good/cheap place to get postcards done? I would rather pay a bit more and get some decent ones as I have seen some from photobox and they were rather poor to be honest
Cheers
Cheers,
Marko