I have a question regarding images for photographers. My husband (we) has his first show in a few weeks off the shore of Lake Superior. We have camped in this area many time in the past years and know that it gets humid and windy at night.
He is a photographer and we will be displaying many framed images as well as matted images and greeting cards. My question is this, is it safe to leave these out overnight in this type of climate or should we pack them each night in the car in less humid conditions? I would just hate to have our inventory damaged because we didnt think of something ahead of time...
Has anyone else experienced this?
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
This is all helpful information and I do appreciate the expertise you all bring to the table. We did a mock setup of the gridwalls we are using this last weekend and I think being in the sun will not be an issue, we put the table towards the back and are hoping that will help draw people in a bit.
We also waterproofed the tent to make sure it will withstand the rain if that happens, unfortunately since we are just beginning, we dont have the funds for a craft-hut, but if this is something we will be doing quite regularly, craft-hut (or flourish) will be in the near future.
I think we are definitely going to put our matted and card images in a bit overnight, trying to decide on the 27 framed images we have. I think they will be fine, but obviously we are a little nervous and paranoid.
Not to change the subject, but most shows don't allow you to set up outside of your assigned 10x10 (or 10x12) space. If you had your print bin in the isle with a sun umbrella over it, the booths on either side might have been getting less traffic as people had to swing wide to walk around your display.
I have always left my work up at night, but made sure nothing was touching the ground. If it's really windy, I take down framed work that has glass. My other framed work is on canvas. Sometimes I cover my matted prints and notecards, in case of leaks. I also know exactly where my tent leaks (on the seams) so I don't leave anything hanging there. Some shows I put up a ceiling tarp which helps if it rains. The ceiling tarp happens to have a hole about in the middle, so any rain would drain there!
One problem I do have with matted prints is condensation if they are out in the sun. The inside of the plastic sleeve gets condensation on it. If it's sunny, I try to rotate the prints often, so no print is out in the sun too long. It doesn't seem to hurt the print, just looks bad. One show I attached a beach umbrella over my print stand.
I put cotton sheets over my framed work and run fans at night. I also follow the steps Larry mentioned - put down something on the ground if on grass and make sure I have airflow through the bottom of the tent. I pack my matted prints and cards away in their boxes and take down any work I might have on the outside sides of the tent.
I'd say leave them up but I'm not responsible for your work.
I've done shows for over thirty years with my photography and after getting a Craft Hut, never took my work down at night. Consider that the weight of your framed pieces add to the stability of your display. If it's going to rain, keep things at least two feet off the ground so you don't have any splash damage. If it's real humid, put down a tarp in your booth at night to prevent moisture from coming up out of the ground and leave at least six inches of clearance between the ground and where the walls start so what moisture that does come up can escape. Some photographers keep their work up but put large clear plastic bags over them at night.
Replies
We also waterproofed the tent to make sure it will withstand the rain if that happens, unfortunately since we are just beginning, we dont have the funds for a craft-hut, but if this is something we will be doing quite regularly, craft-hut (or flourish) will be in the near future.
I think we are definitely going to put our matted and card images in a bit overnight, trying to decide on the 27 framed images we have. I think they will be fine, but obviously we are a little nervous and paranoid.
Larry Berman
Digital J u r y Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
One problem I do have with matted prints is condensation if they are out in the sun. The inside of the plastic sleeve gets condensation on it. If it's sunny, I try to rotate the prints often, so no print is out in the sun too long. It doesn't seem to hurt the print, just looks bad. One show I attached a beach umbrella over my print stand.
I've done shows for over thirty years with my photography and after getting a Craft Hut, never took my work down at night. Consider that the weight of your framed pieces add to the stability of your display. If it's going to rain, keep things at least two feet off the ground so you don't have any splash damage. If it's real humid, put down a tarp in your booth at night to prevent moisture from coming up out of the ground and leave at least six inches of clearance between the ground and where the walls start so what moisture that does come up can escape. Some photographers keep their work up but put large clear plastic bags over them at night.
Larry Berman
Digital J u r y Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100