JPG: Stories: Post-Processing: Any advice out there for a first solo photo show?

Post-Processing

Any advice out there for a first solo photo show?

By Thomas Brauer

8 Oct 2008

So here's the deal. I was asked this morning by a local artist and university professor to hang a show at one of the universities in town at which he teaches. He wants 24 images, and soon.

I've never done this before, and I could use some guidance. I thought it might be fun, and helpful to appeal to you, dear JPGers, for some advice on how to go about doing the following things...

1. Choice of Theme: How might you suggest I go about choosing a theme for the show? Should the theme be technique based, or subject based, or some other thematic tool?

2. Selection of Images: Having a theme, how would you suggest I select images for it? Should I use only images I already have? Should I use only recent images, or should I delve into the vaults of the past? Should I go out and shoot new work to fit the theme?

3. Hanging the show: How do I select show order? Should I be concerned about moving people through a story, or should I just hang randomly? How might I find a story within the 24 images selected?

4. Sales at the show: Should I blatantly self-promote for sales purposes or would that be tacky beyond words?

5. Anything else I should know or consider?

I know this is cheating the rules a little for this article, but it fits the theme of post-processing, I'm just hoping to turn the actual content around on you folks. Please leave as many comments as you wish, or, better yet, write a whole article in response and let me know.

I've included what I think are my best images so far posted to JPG Mag. These would be images I'd consider for the show. I'd be happy to hear your comments on them as well.

Thanks all. I really appreciate your thoughts and comments.

Cheers,

Thomas

12 responses

dominic serrao said (8 Oct 2008):
Subject based may appeal to a wider audience... something like Nature's treasures.
Migdalia Saavedra gave props (8 Oct 2008):
Keep it simple , and go with your gut intinct. Love the ones you pick
Richard Seah gave props (8 Oct 2008):
First of all, congrats, Thomas. If I have such an opportunity, I would split the show into maybe 3 or 4 themes with 6 to 8 images each. This would not only give sufficient variety but also force you to select you absolute best works. As for sales, I don't see any harm in making it obvious, so long as you are not pushy - I don't think you are ;-) GOOD LUCK!
Ray Kenn gave props (8 Oct 2008):
Keep it simple, show your range of subjects and image types, realize that you will never please everyone, HAVE FUN! Your work is excellent
Marty Coleman said (8 Oct 2008):
1. Go with theme over technique. You care about technique, the viewer most likely does not. If you have more than 2 themes to choose from in your work then you aren't focused enough in it. I don't mean you don't work on all sorts of ideas, but you should easily be able to know right away what your visual strengths are from your own experience. If you don't, you really aren't ready for a sophisticate show at a gallery.
2. Go with the most recent work. Your old stuff will look old and dated compared to your new work. By recent work I mean within the past 2 years. Look in your work for the hidden similarities. Maybe you realize your best images always have something in the foreground, or you see that the most compelling ones have a horizontal emphasis. Pay attention to the patterns and other formal elements that stand out since those are more important as an expression of your theme, not an expression of your technique per se.
3. Don't shoot new work unless you can't find enough thematically cohesive images among your recent work. Likely you will be a bit too desperate in your new work, trying to make it fit into the show. I won't say don't do it, but be very wary of doing it for 'filler' purposes.
4. Hanging the show. Don't even think about that until you have the pieces ready to hang. then line them all up so you can see them side by side and you will start to see a pattern among the pieces. Also the gallery director or another pro in that realm should be brought in to see connections that might pass you by.
5. Sales - yes, sell your work. It isn't blatant self - promotion, it is having something to sell and selling it, simple as that. Don't put a big 'for sale' banner up and keep the price discreet. But there is nothing tacky or less artistic about knowing you have something to sell.
Oh, and spend the dough to have them framed in a consistent way ( or do it yourself) . Nothing screams "I am an amateur and you shouldn't take me seriously" more than no frames or crappy frames and mats.
That is my two cents.
Thomas Brauer said (9 Oct 2008):
Thanks so much everyone. Extremely kind of you to offer your advice, compliments, and encouragement.
@Marty, You went above and beyond 2cents worth. Thats at least 2 bucks. Thank you.
Marshall said (10 Oct 2008):
24 images is a lot, especially if you've never shown before... i'd suggest grabbing your best 8-10, blow people away with your quality and go from there... and have fun with it! all the best, marshall
Colleen Appleton gave props (23 Oct 2008):
There are alot of great comments here already but one thing that I am super-critical of as an artist is CLEAN MATS!!!!! presentation is everything and you have to show that you care about your work so that others will care too. Good Luck!!!!!
Pamela Hubbard gave props (25 Oct 2008):
I just did my first show at a coffee house. I wast there for the month of Oct. I regret having too many groupings of themes. I wish I would have made just a few prints of one theme and made the prints larger for a real wow effect. I agree with Marshall and Marty had some awesome points that I will kepp in mind If I get so lucky to show again. Oh an bythe way the first 7 in this story of yours would be awesome. I am blown away by your work and they are only a few inches big. I can picture these framed or for a contemporary look Mounted on black gator foam board! Wishing you all the best!
Photography Seven said (7 Nov 2008):
i was searching for the same advice
Ebla Maleh gave props (22 Feb 2009):
It would be great to know the follow up of this story and how your show went.. maybe some pics of the exhibit itself and the theme you chose
Alex Robbins said (2 May 2009):
Honestly, I don't know much about anything yet, but as far as the theme, I would go with something subjective. Choose whatever you do best, or like most. For me it would be nature, for you it could be something different.