My re-introduction to the world of juried art shows...

I had been out of the art show world for about 12 years. Finally, when my life changed back to normal, I was once again ready - or so I thought!

When I stopped exhibiting my pottery (in the old days) the juried shows did not require a booth shot. Now, however, we all need one... probably have needed one for some time, I just missed that part of the goings on.

Anyway, since no one exactly explained what the booth shot was, I did what any "literal" person would do, I cut out the picture of my brand new tent right off the box. There were 4 pictures which was swell since I was entering 4 shows... You can only imagine my surprise when I got some SERIOUSLY rude comments on my entries.

Well, HOW DOES one make a booth shot if you can't get in to any of the shows to create one?! I was lucky and talked a very nice show manager into allowing me into her show. Everyone there was quite kind and helped me to figure out what to do about this dillema and I finally got the idea.

This fall I participated in the Great Lakes art fair and learned even more about what the jury is looking for when they review your entry - ESPECIALLY your booth shot. Thank you very much for the insights Connie! :)

The best booth pictures are taken NOT at a show, but in your own backyard or driveway. There's a section on my web site just with articles and tips on what makes a good booth slide, image, picture or what ever you want to call it now.
http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/booth-slide.htm

A short list of tips.
Set up your canopy on an overcast or cloudy day so there is even lighting and no light streaks in the picture, and the canopy roof isn't too bright though most will be cropped off later. Set the camera on a tripod showing all three walls and really pay attention on the way the booth looks in the camera. That will be the vantage point the jurors will see. Shoot slightly wider than the outer edges of the canopy so the edges of your booth cam be straightened and squared up in Photoshop. Just two years ago, a 90 degree angle shot showing two walls was sufficient but more and more shows are now requiring you to show all three walls and whether we agree with them or not, it's the way of the future. Des Moines just this past week kicked back display pictures that only showed two walls and they're not the first show to do that.

Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100

Replies

Larry Berman November 7, 2010 at 9:28pm

The best booth pictures are taken NOT at a show, but in your own backyard or driveway. There's a section on my web site just with articles and tips on what makes a good booth slide, image, picture or what ever you want to call it now.
http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/booth-slide.htm

A short list of tips.
Set up your canopy on an overcast or cloudy day so there is even lighting and no light streaks in the picture, and the canopy roof isn't too bright though most will be cropped off later. Set the camera on a tripod showing all three walls and really pay attention on the way the booth looks in the camera. That will be the vantage point the jurors will see. Shoot slightly wider than the outer edges of the canopy so the edges of your booth cam be straightened and squared up in Photoshop. Just two years ago, a 90 degree angle shot showing two walls was sufficient but more and more shows are now requiring you to show all three walls and whether we agree with them or not, it's the way of the future. Des Moines just this past week kicked back display pictures that only showed two walls and they're not the first show to do that.

Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
- Peter William Katke > Larry Berman November 8, 2010 at 9:40am
  
  So Larry, 10x10' or 10x20' if you do both? Does it matter?
  
  Tx
  - Larry Berman > Peter William Katke November 8, 2010 at 9:46am
    
    For the picture, 10x10 will read better to the jurors. Unless you always set up a 10x20, I'd take the picture of a 10x10 for jurying. A 10x20 is like looking at a panoramic image and will display smaller and requires the jurors to spend more time trying to figure it out.
    
    Larry Berman
    Digital Jury Services
    http://BermanGraphics.com
    412-401-8100
    - Peter William Katke > Larry Berman November 8, 2010 at 9:53am
      
      I was thinking the same thing. Just wanted the experts opinion. One more thing...
      
      Any benefit to taking the shot from an angle to catch a corner display w/awnings & outside panel display etc?
      
      thanks again!
      - Larry Berman > Peter William Katke November 8, 2010 at 10:08am
        
        You have to ask yourself, what does showing work hanging on the outside add to the image. You need to show three walls of the booth. You can position the tripod so the camera sees the edges of the pieces hanging on the third wall but sees the work clearly on the other two walls. Or you can position the camera so it sees the outer side of the third wall and the other two inside walls clearly. Whichever makes the booth picture easier to read in a shorter period of time.
        
        Larry Berman
        Digital Jury Services
        http://BermanGraphics.com
        412-401-8100
Michael Reimer November 7, 2010 at 8:44pm

There are plenty of posts on this topic, but in general, you don't have to or probably shouldn't take your booth shot at a show. Set up somewhere else and take your booth shot. Do a little research on the topic on this site, you'll see plenty of opinions on the topic, but I don't think anyone says take it at a show.
Jacki Bilsborrow November 7, 2010 at 7:20pm

Terri, It can be tough getting back into something when you have been away for a while. Connie is great. Sounds like you helped you out. Hopefully, you are on your way back. Do you have any shows lined up for 2011?

Jacki B

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