I have been challenged by a fellow creative to put together a print portfolio of my photography. I'm going to do it. It will be a good exercise in selection and a needed education about papers & printing (which I will not do myself). I will also use the portfolio to show my work around town and around the state, maybe get a little exhibition in a brewpub or, who knows, something more high profile like a small gallery.
Here is where I am with it: I have purchased a notebook-style portfolio, and I have ordered prints from a place that has made high-quality, large prints for me before. For the portfolio, I have ordered those prints on a variety of papers (all are modest size at this point...6.7x10 or 8x12 or 4x12) to get a better sense of what images look best on which papers, etc.
Here are some questions:
Should the portfolio have just one print per "spread"? Meaning...when you open it, and there are two facets of two different pages, there should be just one image, right?
Is it customary to include titles, labels, or technical / paper details for each image? If so, should that go on the facing page?
Is it customary to use an adhesive to keep the images from shifting in their sleeves? If so, any suggestions about what doesn't get absorbed into the back of the print?
How big should the images be? My thinking was up to 12 on the long side, just for a preview, which can lead them to a web site, and of course, I would print at appropriate sizes for the venue. Is that way too small? I can still get a bigger portfolio (accommodating 14, 16, 20" etc.) I don't want it to be too big, but I don't want it to look "album-y"
And should they be matted? I'm wondering if I have started out the wrong way with getting a notebook style portfolio (of any size) instead of a big zippered thingy?
And finally....Any other advice? I'm sure I'll have other questions when I get ready to "shop" it around, but at this point, I'm thinking more about portfolio presentation.
Discussion
0 repliesHi Folks,
I have been challenged by a fellow creative to put together a print portfolio of my photography. I'm going to do it. It will be a good exercise in selection and a needed education about papers & printing (which I will not do myself). I will also use the portfolio to show my work around town and around the state, maybe get a little exhibition in a brewpub or, who knows, something more high profile like a small gallery.
Here is where I am with it: I have purchased a notebook-style portfolio, and I have ordered prints from a place that has made high-quality, large prints for me before. For the portfolio, I have ordered those prints on a variety of papers (all are modest size at this point...6.7x10 or 8x12 or 4x12) to get a better sense of what images look best on which papers, etc.
Here are some questions:
And finally....Any other advice? I'm sure I'll have other questions when I get ready to "shop" it around, but at this point, I'm thinking more about portfolio presentation.
Thanks for any and all advice.