Empty Shop to Gallery!!

I keep hearing about people finding empty shop fronts and converting them into galleries, using the unused space on a temporary basis to show art work. Not only would this be a good way to exhibit but it's also a way to help the landlords show off there property to potential tenants, so i'm guessing it's a win win situation. Not being too sure how to go about it, I did a little interent research and everything I found seemed to direct me to the local council as they have a lot of say on what happens in the town centre. So this was my first phone call, however I kept getting directed to someone else (about 3 times) but was finally told who I needed to speak to (someone in the regeneration of the town section), unfortunately they weren't there. After leaving a message I'm hoping i'll get a call back.

I shall keep going at this and keep updating the post, and hopefully it will end it will end in an exhibition.

Let me know if you have any ideas.

Watch A film

I've decided that watching films is one of the best ways to get your photography juices flowing. Their are some cracking films out there, very few are to do with photography but lots are visually amazing. One film I do recommend and is to do with photography is a film called 'Blow Up' I won't say much about it I'll leave it up to you to watch but I will say it's amazing.
Another film which is great is 'Amelie' Where One woman decides to change the world by changing the lives of the people she knows in this charming and romantic comic fantasy from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The film uses the complimentary colours red and green to enhance the visual dynamics of the film crating an almost surreal layout to the storyline. This will definately make you go out and take pictures with the complimentary colours in your mind.

If anyone has any cracking films in mind then please share them with us

A few great films

Being John Malkovitch

The Cell

Juno

No Country for Old Men

Model Release Forms

When taking an image with a model in, and you have the intent to sell it, or if it has been commissioned, you will have to make sure that the model (s) sign a model release form. This is just a form that gives you the photographer the right to you use the image in whatever way you want, without the problem of the model complaining about what happens after the image has been taken. You can (not always necessary) come to some agreement with the model that entitles them to part of what you make out of the image, for example 10% of any money earned from that particular image could go to the model (s), or you give them a copy for their portfolio.

In the form you have to clearly state your name, the models name, a description of the image plus title, and a photo of the model along with a signature and date. You will also have to make sure there is a statement giving the photographer permission to use the image however they want, with in reason of course.

This is a very important part of photography that has to be remembered at the time of the image, if you leave it too late you may never get one and then the image cannot be sold or used commercially.

Don't Forget About Film

With polaroid gone, and film being used less and less everyday, why would you keep your dusty 35m/medium format camera that you haven't used since you bought your snazzy digital slr, but don't get rid of it just yet. Film is still accessible and has still got a certain quality that can't be replaced. However film is getting more and more expensive because it's becoming more of a hobby tool rather than a commercial necessity. I believe it still is completely worthy for a professional and amature photographers, and the satisfaction of having a processed negative and a print to go with it, does make you feel more of a photographer even more so if you have printed it yourself. You also have the suprise element, you just don't know what your gonna get. Another probelm other than cost, is that its not easy finding places to print or even process your film, unless you have access to college equipment or know of someone with tank and enlarger, which also seem to be disappearing. It seems such a shame that era of film is almost over and the delete as you go digital age has almost completely taken over.

Portfolio

Portfolio's are a tricky subject, and I was always told many different ways that I should display work, some being helpful and others not so helpful. One excellent piece of advice which may sound obvious, was not to cut corners, don't rush it or you'll make mistakes. People/potential employers will notice even the smallest of errors, so you have to be careful when putting it together. You have to be extremely critical about the images as well as the presentation of the whole portfolio, because if you can get both working together then you're onto a winner.

When you are editing your images you have to be brutal and cut out anything that will bring the stronger images down, another saying you have probably all heard is "your portfolio is only as strong as the worst piece"and it's true, if there is a shoddy image in there, for example an over exposed image, unless you've got a good reason, take it out, otherwise who ever looks at the portfolio will remember that image, and not the one thats perfect in every way. I personally found that I got attached to my images so it's always good to bring a few other people to the table, to critically analise your work, probably best that it's not a family member as they will say they love it all and it's up to you, so find someone who knows a little bit about photography and are prepared to tell you the truth, they will probably just clarify what you were thinking anyway.

I was never quite sure how many images would be a good number and thats something you will have to work out by yourself as I don't know how many amazing yet individual images you all have. Individual being the key, because there is no point having two similar images as one is certainly not going to be as good as the other. Around 20 images seems to work pretty well but only if you have that many, it would be better if you had just 10 amazing ones rather than 20 alright ones just because you wanted to look like you had done more. I'm pretty sure that any creative person looking at your portfolio will be able to tell within the first 5 images whether or not you have a great ability and individual style, however they will keep looking through to see if you have a weakness.

Adjust your portfolio if you can, for every diferent job you go for, for example it's better to show a food photographer images of food or still life images, than showing them images of landscapes or portraits, because if you go for an assisting job or a specific photography job they will want to know you will be more knowledgeable of their genre. However this is only if you feel you can do it to a high standard, if you are not that comfortable stick to what you know as that will make you stand out anyway.

Present your work in a way that suits the work itself if you feel it would look better as a book create a book, but try to make it as professionally as possible and really consider the sequence of images. It's good to research other photographers books so that you can gain a good understanding of layout and how they have put their images together to complement each other. Don't be too random maybe even try and have a them or a title and have the images relate to it. If you put your images in a big presentation box have big images or the images will get lost.

These are just a few things to take into consideration, and i'm sure there are plenty more. If anyone has any other information on putting together a portfolio please just comment on this post.

Great ways to market yourself.

There are so many ways to get your name around, so here are a few ideas that will get you started.

1. Website - There is no better way to get started, if you can't make one yourself , find someone to make you one. If you went to an art college there is bound to be a web design course with lots of students wanting to practise and bulk out their portfolio, so go and ask, and i'm sure they will love to make you a simple website, thats all it needs to be, your best images, contact details and a little bit about your self.
2. Business Cards - You will find that when you tell people you are a photographer, they will know someone who needs a photographer, jump at this chance when it happens and give them a business card with your website, email and number on as people won't just remember. You may not hear from them but they may just pass that card on to someone who might, what have you got to lose. Always carry a load on you, as you will kick yourself when the best opportunity comes up and you don't have one and no one has a pen.
3. Online - There are so many places online to list your name and occupation, some are free and some are not, but it's worth checking them all out. Go and look at our 'Great Links' on this blog to get you started. Other than that if you search for photographers on google it will take you to lots of sites where they are listed and then you sign up yourself.
4. Assisting - Not only do you gain experience from working with a pro but you also gain a lot of useful contacts that will help you get to the next stage, however it's not for everyone. I will be doing a whole post on assisting so keep checking the blog.

I will keep adding to this so keep an eye out for more tips.

Going to Uni???

Having been to university to study photography, I sometimes wonder if it was completely necessary, and would I be any better off if I hadn't gone, but I always come back to the same conclusion, that I'm 100% sure it was the right decision for me, and that with out going I wouldn't know half as much as I do now. I think ultimately you will know if you want to go but as it's not a small decision. I want to know what all you photographers that went to uni think, did going to uni help or hinder your professional career???