Hi, I'm new here and still feeling my way around the site. It's wonderful so far!
I was hoping for ideas/critiques for my photos. I haven't done an outdoor show yet and my booth shot I took hastily as the weather was turning cold just to have one to have...I stare at it and it screams BLAHHH to me! I know there's so much more I could/should do for it...I need a 4th table, lighting, risers...
Do you think this picture will pass for a first timer? Should I re-do it? What would you do?
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for all the replies! :) I'm going to address a few points and hopefully gather more info...
*I feel it's barren feeling especially since I need the 4th table (that are currently sold out-I hope Sam's gets them back in!) I like the Z formation. Does anyone else use this set up?
* Yes, I definately plan to find some lighting-hopefully battery operated as well....(does Ikea offer battery powered light?) Anywhere else good/cheap to look?
*Yes, I plan to integrate another color somewhere, somehow. I'd thought of maybe wrapping the outer bar around the top w/ a fabric or huge flowers up in the corners or something.....
*Yes, I plan to get some sort of risers...I found a neat hat rack display I'd love to turn into a multi-leveled bust display....
* I just acquired a full sized cool dressform mannequin to use for display as well (free! ) I'd love to use it at the entrance w/a crazy necklace to display (pinned on securely!?)
* The large photo on a back wall is a great idea. Is printing them and affixing on some sort of board better than printing on a canvas/vinyl banner better or worse? Worried about storing/denting/dinging.
* I haven't gotten around to a banner, etc. It didn't bother me for pictures since most of the art fairs in this area ask specifically for no banner/signage to be shown in photos. BUT-I need one so where is a good place to go for that? I've never had to order this type of stuff before...Do I just work up my own design in PS then save and take over to Kinko's, etc?
*Re: the polka dots-I wanted smething to stand out from across the way but hate the thought of "busy/fighting w/ my jewelry". I'd thought of wide white runners to go down the centers of the tables to give the displays something solid to sit against...? yea/nay?
* So crop in tight and lose the rafters. Check-I can do that. Now, let me get this straight-I always thought the main reason for a booth shot is to show the judges you aren't going to end up setting up a blue tent full of crocheted toilet paper cozies or something...So I guess I assumed they see the shots of my jewelry up close~then a shot of the booth. Never thought they'd have to be able to SEE my jewelry in the booth shot. I only grabbed a handful to show in there since I thought they were looking more at a neatly put together booth. I suppose i need to re-do it all from the get-go...oy.
Again-thanks for all the replies! Anymore ideas/thoughst on printing signs, finding lights would be great!
As the others said, crop tightly, don't show what isn't of interest -- lost space for "selling" your booth to the jury. I don't mind the polka dots, but I'd definitely add some color somewhere. I like the idea of the enlargements on the walls, but if you don't have the time or money, a splash of color, a drape on two of the sides would pop the image. Can you display your work on several levels? Use some risers and show it off. Make a couple of "show pieces" and feature those.
I've set up my entire booth outside in the snow, twice, since the winter is when I have time to work on redesigns and take photos. And I live in Minnesota!
Amy K. Huff said:
When I was first looking for a good booth photo, I went to our church and set up my whole booth in the gymnasium for a photo shoot. It is a pain, but worth it. You can do the same thing at home too. Awesome jewelry!
Amy Huff
Good first effort--but not god enough to get into good shows with, definetly listen to Larry Berman. I would lose the polka dots and I would crop in tighter on the booth shot. Get rid of all the rafter work in the canopy--focus on the work. You have to make the stuff pop. Hope this helps--I am a 35-year veteran at this biz--Nels
Hi Jan,
It is great that you are being careful and researching booth design and photography......I am always looking for great and new ways to display hard to display items.....
When I was first looking for a good booth photo, I went to our church and set up my whole booth in the gymnasium for a photo shoot. It is a pain, but worth it. You can do the same thing at home too.
Awesome jewelry!
Amy Huff
Whether your booth shot is "good enough" to get into shows depends a bit on what type and quality level of show to which you are applying. I know that in my first year I got into several small community festival-type shows with a crappy (CRAPPY!) booth photo. Your photo is much better than my first attempt!
That being said, here are my observations. I like that the tables are neatly covered to the floor, but plain white is awful, especially against the white background of the canopy walls. Personally, I hate the all-white walls and put up sheer curtains on all three sides; it creates a warm, inviting room that customers enjoy. Also, lose the black and white polka-dots. They are very distracting and not inviting. The "busyness" of the dots detracts from the items you are selling. You don't want your display to compete with your work! The back table could have a riser on it to set the necklace displays at different levels; this encourages people to look around at the work and feels more energizing. I agree that your booth will benefit greatly from having large format photos of your work up on the walls. When you are at a show, you should also have a banner with your name, city, etc., but this banner should NOT be in the photo sent to juries.
It is a great first attempt and can easily be adjusted.
I think a few large photos of your working hanging from the walls would really help your display...people walking by could see what you work looks like since jewelry is so small and hard to see from a distance...I would also add a splash of color somewhere like Michelle suggested...other than that...looks great! Go online and check out Mpix.com...they offer enlargements mounted on different substrates that would be lightweight and professional looking...have a pro take your jewelry shots for sure....worth the $$$.
For a first time effort - it isn't that bad. The angle in my opinion is far better than some I have seen - it is clear, I can pretty much get a feel for what is going on in the booth despite no signage/banners, and all together a great start. We all start somewhere and seeing that you have full length table coverings - with pizazz (polka dots) is great. I see a good use of displaying your work. The down side is your work seems to be small/dainty so I can't see exactly what you sell - silver with charms, beaded seed jewelry, etc.
As you look to improve - as it seems like that is a goal of yours I want to suggest these ideas - stew over them as these suggestions may be off base for you. The black and white motif is great - clean, shows some funkiness, but how about adding some sort of accent color - and it could be anything - jewel tones to pastels - a color that might reoccur in your work which you can bring out in your booth, such as using the color in a banner, gerber daisy flowers on your display, or with gathered sheer iridescent fabric draped at the corners of your booth and around the base of the busts. Lighting always helps, especially with jewelry displays. I have found some great lighting devices - at Target, IKEA, and Office Depot type places (some battery operated) although there are even better quality lighting places found via the net if you google "art show display lighting" . Lighting helps bring focus to your work and make jewels/beads sparkle, not to mention enhance your booth display photos too. I also think having an additional table would help as I am sure you have a lot of stock and you have the room to display it. There are some great jewelry display sites too if you are looking for additional ways to display your work as well.
Final thought, look at other booth shots from jewelry makers at shows going on now (regardless of it being inside or out). Even now there are home and garden shows, cabin fever show, and all else in between have jewelry artists selling at them and while you are still getting your feet wet get inspired by what others are doing and NOT doing. Can't find these places in your area, do random searches for events and see if you can find jewelry artists websites and see if they have some booth photos posted on their site. A lot of juried art fairs - art in the parks for instance - do booth shots and post them on their site to promote the artists at the show to entice customers to come - another opportunity to see what others in your medium might be doing. But so far, you look like you are on the right track!
E-mail me your full size (or 1920 pixel square ZAPP) images and I'll do a free evaluation. Put your phone number in the first e-mail or use the upload form on my web site: http://bermangraphics.com/upload/index.php
They need to be as they were uploaded or what you're intending to upload so I can check the color information also.
Replies
*I feel it's barren feeling especially since I need the 4th table (that are currently sold out-I hope Sam's gets them back in!) I like the Z formation. Does anyone else use this set up?
* Yes, I definately plan to find some lighting-hopefully battery operated as well....(does Ikea offer battery powered light?) Anywhere else good/cheap to look?
*Yes, I plan to integrate another color somewhere, somehow. I'd thought of maybe wrapping the outer bar around the top w/ a fabric or huge flowers up in the corners or something.....
*Yes, I plan to get some sort of risers...I found a neat hat rack display I'd love to turn into a multi-leveled bust display....
* I just acquired a full sized cool dressform mannequin to use for display as well (free! ) I'd love to use it at the entrance w/a crazy necklace to display (pinned on securely!?)
* The large photo on a back wall is a great idea. Is printing them and affixing on some sort of board better than printing on a canvas/vinyl banner better or worse? Worried about storing/denting/dinging.
* I haven't gotten around to a banner, etc. It didn't bother me for pictures since most of the art fairs in this area ask specifically for no banner/signage to be shown in photos. BUT-I need one so where is a good place to go for that? I've never had to order this type of stuff before...Do I just work up my own design in PS then save and take over to Kinko's, etc?
*Re: the polka dots-I wanted smething to stand out from across the way but hate the thought of "busy/fighting w/ my jewelry". I'd thought of wide white runners to go down the centers of the tables to give the displays something solid to sit against...? yea/nay?
* So crop in tight and lose the rafters. Check-I can do that. Now, let me get this straight-I always thought the main reason for a booth shot is to show the judges you aren't going to end up setting up a blue tent full of crocheted toilet paper cozies or something...So I guess I assumed they see the shots of my jewelry up close~then a shot of the booth. Never thought they'd have to be able to SEE my jewelry in the booth shot. I only grabbed a handful to show in there since I thought they were looking more at a neatly put together booth. I suppose i need to re-do it all from the get-go...oy.
Again-thanks for all the replies! Anymore ideas/thoughst on printing signs, finding lights would be great!
Amanda
Be sure to show us the results.
Amy K. Huff said:
It is great that you are being careful and researching booth design and photography......I am always looking for great and new ways to display hard to display items.....
When I was first looking for a good booth photo, I went to our church and set up my whole booth in the gymnasium for a photo shoot. It is a pain, but worth it. You can do the same thing at home too.
Awesome jewelry!
Amy Huff
That being said, here are my observations. I like that the tables are neatly covered to the floor, but plain white is awful, especially against the white background of the canopy walls. Personally, I hate the all-white walls and put up sheer curtains on all three sides; it creates a warm, inviting room that customers enjoy. Also, lose the black and white polka-dots. They are very distracting and not inviting. The "busyness" of the dots detracts from the items you are selling. You don't want your display to compete with your work! The back table could have a riser on it to set the necklace displays at different levels; this encourages people to look around at the work and feels more energizing. I agree that your booth will benefit greatly from having large format photos of your work up on the walls. When you are at a show, you should also have a banner with your name, city, etc., but this banner should NOT be in the photo sent to juries.
It is a great first attempt and can easily be adjusted.
For a first time effort - it isn't that bad. The angle in my opinion is far better than some I have seen - it is clear, I can pretty much get a feel for what is going on in the booth despite no signage/banners, and all together a great start. We all start somewhere and seeing that you have full length table coverings - with pizazz (polka dots) is great. I see a good use of displaying your work. The down side is your work seems to be small/dainty so I can't see exactly what you sell - silver with charms, beaded seed jewelry, etc.
As you look to improve - as it seems like that is a goal of yours I want to suggest these ideas - stew over them as these suggestions may be off base for you. The black and white motif is great - clean, shows some funkiness, but how about adding some sort of accent color - and it could be anything - jewel tones to pastels - a color that might reoccur in your work which you can bring out in your booth, such as using the color in a banner, gerber daisy flowers on your display, or with gathered sheer iridescent fabric draped at the corners of your booth and around the base of the busts. Lighting always helps, especially with jewelry displays. I have found some great lighting devices - at Target, IKEA, and Office Depot type places (some battery operated) although there are even better quality lighting places found via the net if you google "art show display lighting" . Lighting helps bring focus to your work and make jewels/beads sparkle, not to mention enhance your booth display photos too. I also think having an additional table would help as I am sure you have a lot of stock and you have the room to display it. There are some great jewelry display sites too if you are looking for additional ways to display your work as well.
Final thought, look at other booth shots from jewelry makers at shows going on now (regardless of it being inside or out). Even now there are home and garden shows, cabin fever show, and all else in between have jewelry artists selling at them and while you are still getting your feet wet get inspired by what others are doing and NOT doing. Can't find these places in your area, do random searches for events and see if you can find jewelry artists websites and see if they have some booth photos posted on their site. A lot of juried art fairs - art in the parks for instance - do booth shots and post them on their site to promote the artists at the show to entice customers to come - another opportunity to see what others in your medium might be doing. But so far, you look like you are on the right track!
Michelle
By the Bay Botanicals
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
http://bermangraphics.com/upload/index.php
They need to be as they were uploaded or what you're intending to upload so I can check the color information also.
You can read more about my evaluations here:
http://zapphelp.com/evaluation.htm
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100