Time to Make My Portfolios

Meditative Photography, by Reed A. George

 

If you're a regular DMC-365 reader, you may know that I've been accepted into a Magnum workshop with David Alan Harvey this September. The workshop is already having a positive effect on my work, even though it won't start for another week. In short, I've been instructed to put together a portfolio of my work in preparation for the workshop.

 

I've known that it's time to update my portfolios, as well as my online presence at my website creativeobjective.com for quite some time. Now I have a deadline, at least for my portfolios.

 

Of course, I started by reading up a little to get some tips on making a powerful portfolio.

 

(Click Here) to read an article on PopPhoto on the subject.

 

In this article, Brian Dilg of the New York Film Academy's photography school offers a lot of insight. Here are the most important tips from my perspective:

 

1. Don't include multiple images that are too similar or obviously taken in the same session. It can make it look like you're indecisive or incapable of editing your work.
2. Stick to either landscape or portrait orientation within a series of images. This is a tough one for me.
3. Don't pad your portfolio with less than the best images, ever.
4. Every image should evoke a "Wow" from viewers, without the need for explanation.
5. Your portfolio should focus on a subject; that should be the subject you'd love to be paid to photograph.
6. Your goal is not to show competency as a photographer; it's to show creativity as an artist.
7. Use mini-sequences within your portfolio. A simple three image sequence should follow this outline: create an expectation (1st image), establish a pattern (2nd), and provide a surprise or thrill (3rd).
8. In most cases, a real print still rules. However, in a pinch, an electronic portfolio can be acceptable.

So, it looks like I have my work cut out for me.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

Creepy Shot With the Whole Lotta Leica August Lens - Summicron 35mm f2 Version 3

 

Confederate Dead, by Reed A. George

Leica M9, Leica Summicron 35mm f2 Lens Version 3

iso 160, f13, 1/30 sec.

 

I took the day off today, and drove out to the Shenandoah National Park for some hiking and photography. It was a foggy morning. On the way out, I passed by the Groveton Confederate Cemetery at the Manassas National Battlefield. I walked around the cemetery a little with my M9 and tripod, and made a few shots. I almost missed this one.

 

On the way back to my car, I started looking more closely at the numerous spider webs in the tall grass. Finally, I put it together in my mind, and decided to find a nice one in front of the iron cemetery fence. This one was in a very good spot, in my opinion.

 

I converted the image to monochrome using SilverEfex Pro 2. I also selected a selenium tone, which is uncommon for me. Creepy effect, huh?

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

SmugMug - New Templates - Maybe Some Good News for a Change

I have a SmugMug page, where I post a lot of my images, and occasionally sell one or two. And I do mean occasionally. No where near enough to cover the costs of the SmugMug site, especially now that they've more than doubled the price.

 

(Click Here) to see my SmugMug-based site, creativeobjective.com

 

I've always felt that the lack of sales was partially due to weak templates from SmugMug. I'm no web programmer, so did not customize. My opinion is that it's tough to even know the images are for sale in the templates.

 

Image Source: http://tysonrobichaudphotography.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/trp-gallery-site-refresh/

 

However, Tyson Robichaud, a photographer that I respect highly, has posted that he has been able to take advantage of new templates posted by SmugMug. Looking it over, I'd say Tyson's site looks great. It still doesn't make how to purchase an image obvious to the casual observer, though.

 

At least it's motivated me to look through the new templates.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com