The event in question, Maple & Main, was juried and a 10' x 10' booth was $180. Reason I decided to give it a try was because it was rather enthusiastically endorsed by a member of this forum (don't remember the name). Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have bothered. We did not do particularly well.
I say motive trumps all, and in court that would hold up. Is the motive of this thread to take this photo and have everyone laugh and point at it. Or is it to critique in order how we can improve our booths.
If we were taking pics of the artists plumbers butt while he was bending over, granted, that would bring me temporary happiness, would cause this thread to enter the discussion of inappropriate.
I agree with Larry that, from a professional and moral standpoint, this thread should not exist if the booth owner did not give permission for the photo of his/her booth to be used in this fashion.
On the other hand, from a legal standpoint, I disagree with assertion that booth spaces enjoy the same privacy protection that our homes do. Privacy protection in the US is almost completely based on case law, and there is lots of precedent for privacy protection within one’s home. But not in a sales booth, especially if it is on public property.
To Bill Coleman. Though it's open to the public, it's a private event held by the promoter who paid for permits and street closings. Our booth space is no different than our homes but with higher rents.
I'll chip in here a bit about my own experiences. My first several years were in home-made booths and this was at the beginning of the 'white tent era' when commercial tents were starting to become the norm. My first tent was all wood with fir lattice panels attached to 4x4 corner posts and 2x4 stringers connected with door hinges. It's only saving grace was that it was self weighting.
I was dying at a Howard Alan show when another photographer gave me some good advice and said ditch the tent. A show or two later I did, and the sales went up wit the same work, even if it was a slant roof Elaine Martin bottom feeder tent. A couple years later, I went to an EZ-Up and better display panels. Sales went up again. A bit later I upgraded to Propanels. Sales went up again. I won't swear to it, but there just might be a pattern here.
Our anonymous booth owner might be advised to listen to what the crowd is trying to tell him/her, and profit (literally) from the advice. New artists starting out can see and hear what mistakes others make, and not fall into the same trap.
If the artist wants to stay on the lower edge, that's fine as that can yield a certain amount of sales without going to a lot of effort, and as Barry points out that there is a certain vibe that the folks on the lower side of the pyramid expect and it will draw them like a moth to a flame. Everyone has to decide where they want to be.
There was nothing in the thread to say the artist gave permission for the booth picture to be critiqued. The EXIF data shows the picture was taken the beginning of June 2013, actually June 1st so it's relatively easy to figure out the show it was taken at.
But I still feel there is no point to this thread.
Comments
The event in question, Maple & Main, was juried and a 10' x 10' booth was $180. Reason I decided to give it a try was because it was rather enthusiastically endorsed by a member of this forum (don't remember the name). Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have bothered. We did not do particularly well.
If we were taking pics of the artists plumbers butt while he was bending over, granted, that would bring me temporary happiness, would cause this thread to enter the discussion of inappropriate.
Maybe not the same privacy expectations as your home. But ridiculing someone on an open public forum is something that should never happen.
I always get permission from the artists before using their display images in a forum post or article.
Larry Berman
I agree with Larry that, from a professional and moral standpoint, this thread should not exist if the booth owner did not give permission for the photo of his/her booth to be used in this fashion.
On the other hand, from a legal standpoint, I disagree with assertion that booth spaces enjoy the same privacy protection that our homes do. Privacy protection in the US is almost completely based on case law, and there is lots of precedent for privacy protection within one’s home. But not in a sales booth, especially if it is on public property.
To Bill Coleman. Though it's open to the public, it's a private event held by the promoter who paid for permits and street closings. Our booth space is no different than our homes but with higher rents.
Larry Berman
I'll chip in here a bit about my own experiences. My first several years were in home-made booths and this was at the beginning of the 'white tent era' when commercial tents were starting to become the norm. My first tent was all wood with fir lattice panels attached to 4x4 corner posts and 2x4 stringers connected with door hinges. It's only saving grace was that it was self weighting.
I was dying at a Howard Alan show when another photographer gave me some good advice and said ditch the tent. A show or two later I did, and the sales went up wit the same work, even if it was a slant roof Elaine Martin bottom feeder tent. A couple years later, I went to an EZ-Up and better display panels. Sales went up again. A bit later I upgraded to Propanels. Sales went up again. I won't swear to it, but there just might be a pattern here.
Our anonymous booth owner might be advised to listen to what the crowd is trying to tell him/her, and profit (literally) from the advice. New artists starting out can see and hear what mistakes others make, and not fall into the same trap.
If the artist wants to stay on the lower edge, that's fine as that can yield a certain amount of sales without going to a lot of effort, and as Barry points out that there is a certain vibe that the folks on the lower side of the pyramid expect and it will draw them like a moth to a flame. Everyone has to decide where they want to be.
I agree with Larry I do not see the point of doing this because it does not help the most important person.
Bill Coleman the same reason why artist put signs not to photograph the art in the walls.
Larry, I am confused why there should be any expectations of privacy at a public event. ??
There was nothing in the thread to say the artist gave permission for the booth picture to be critiqued. The EXIF data shows the picture was taken the beginning of June 2013, actually June 1st so it's relatively easy to figure out the show it was taken at.
But I still feel there is no point to this thread.
Larry Berman
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
of 6 Next