NVPS 2008 - 2009 Photo Portfolio Guidelines (there are no rules)

Image selection is the most critical part of portfolio development. Begin with your best of the best images from within a theme - & from these....

a. First, choose your lead image. Start strong - 1st impressions
b. Next, choose your final image. End strong - One to remember you by
c. Then, add your Must-Have images (those you can't live without)
d. Show versatility (different content, lenses, perspective, visual design)
e. Maintain a good mix throughout to hold the viewer's interest
f. "Hide" weakest images in middle & don't group weakest all together
g. Afterwards (let it rest a while) remove redundant images
h. Remove anything the least bit marginal
i. Get feedback
j. (Above based on Photo Portfolio Success by John Kaplan)

A portfolio should have a thematic focus (except maybe photojournalism)
The artist's statement describes the theme / technique (and is not the artist's bio)
Image selection is much easier once you've written an artist's statement
A good portfolio size is 10-20 images
Consistency among portfolio images is important.

a. Consistent with the chosen theme
b. Consistent in quality - only the best of your best of the best
c. Consistent in style - don't mix B&W with color, for example
d. Consistent in scale - balance numbers if scale varies from wide to macro
e. Remember - the portfolio is only as strong as its weakest image

Redundant image example - sunrise reflection theme -The 1st or 2nd should be deleted; they are basically the same visual design and thus the same image

Self-criticism is difficult; get advice from others. If a majority recommends removing an image you can't live without, you probably should remove it.
If you have to explain/justify an image (even to yourself), it doesn't belong.
Image order is important. Avoid "jarring" segues
Avoid making the viewer rotate pages. If all prints are 8x12, as an example, and most are horizontal, make verticals 8 inches high (by 5.33 wide).

o Every piece of paper in your portfolio should be the same size.
o Mat them to the same size (varying the window opening) if your prints are different sizes
- maybe a 16x20 mat in the above 8x12 & 5.33x8 example
o Fine art prints are usually mounted and matted

Potential difficulties

o Being both versatile & consistent - may conflict with one another

o Page orientation & sizing - imagine your prints are pages in a book.

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NVPS Home About NVPS Meeting Location Contact Information Email Subscriptions Membership Newsletter/Fotofax NVPS News Club Activities Club Meetings Competition Exhibits Field Trips Members Gallery/Forum Portfolio Project Programs Education & Training Our Work ƒ Stop Members News Members' Resource Member Websites Photo Gallery Resources Alliance (NVACC) General Interest Links Privacy Policy Upcoming Events Feeds		Portfolio Project NVPS 2008 - 2009 Photo Portfolio Guidelines (there are no rules) Image selection is the most critical part of portfolio development. Begin with your best of the best images from within a theme - & from these.... a. First, choose your lead image. Start strong - 1st impressions b. Next, choose your final image. End strong - One to remember you by c. Then, add your Must-Have images (those you can't live without) d. Show versatility (different content, lenses, perspective, visual design) e. Maintain a good mix throughout to hold the viewer's interest f. "Hide" weakest images in middle & don't group weakest all together g. Afterwards (let it rest a while) remove redundant images h. Remove anything the least bit marginal i. Get feedback j. (Above based on Photo Portfolio Success by John Kaplan) A portfolio should have a thematic focus (except maybe photojournalism) The artist's statement describes the theme / technique (and is not the artist's bio) Image selection is much easier once you've written an artist's statement A good portfolio size is 10-20 images Consistency among portfolio images is important. a. Consistent with the chosen theme b. Consistent in quality - only the best of your best of the best c. Consistent in style - don't mix B&W with color, for example d. Consistent in scale - balance numbers if scale varies from wide to macro e. Remember - the portfolio is only as strong as its weakest image Redundant image example - sunrise reflection theme -The 1st or 2nd should be deleted; they are basically the same visual design and thus the same image Self-criticism is difficult; get advice from others. If a majority recommends removing an image you can't live without, you probably should remove it. If you have to explain/justify an image (even to yourself), it doesn't belong. Image order is important. Avoid "jarring" segues Avoid making the viewer rotate pages. If all prints are 8x12, as an example, and most are horizontal, make verticals 8 inches high (by 5.33 wide). o Every piece of paper in your portfolio should be the same size. o Mat them to the same size (varying the window opening) if your prints are different sizes - maybe a 16x20 mat in the above 8x12 & 5.33x8 example o Fine art prints are usually mounted and matted Potential difficulties o Being both versatile & consistent - may conflict with one another o Page orientation & sizing - imagine your prints are pages in a book. Click here to see more "Portfolio Project" information
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