How to Photograph Your Booth
The September (200 best shows) issue of Sunshine Artist came out this week. It contains a four page article I wrote on how to photograph your booth. It also has some examples of clean booth photographs I've taken for artists in different mediums.
The article isn't on my web site yet as per my deal with Sunshine Artist, but I do have the example booth photos I've submitted. All booth pictures were submitted with permission from the artists.
http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/photograph-your-booth-article.htm
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Comments
GOT IT! THANKS AGAIN!
Oops. Berman, with an A!
Done. And thanks a million, Brutha Bermen!
If you send an e-mail to larry@bermanart.com, I'll send you a PDF of the article.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Outstanding images and information, Larry, albeit a bit daunting...they all look so perfect!
I just did a 4 wall show (corner spot) and hung 46 pieces. I walked away with the blue ribbon for painting. I juried the show with that same density. Peo
What we've learned in this discussion is to set up our booth in a completely controlled environment, eliminate all distractions (including the tent roof, clients, signage, bugs, etc.), and use some tricks (but not fakery) to make it look better than it would in reality. We can Photoshop it, beginning with the cropping process. Hopefully we've just been screwed out of some shows because we sent them photos of what our booth really looked like -- we mean, if you were a client, walking around the fair or festival. Even the Mona Lisa looks fantastic without anyone around it.
From an Artist who has used Larry's services, I create unusual clay sculptures. Larry gradated the background in my individual images and for the booth image, he smoothed out the wrinkles on my cloth covered pedestals and fixed up the worn grass on the ground. These are things that do not change my work, but were a distraction when you looked at my booth shot. I did not remove any of my work for the shot. Which I took at an art show. (No people included)
I haven't read it since I don't have a subscription to Sunshine Artist anymore. If I did have the magazine, it would have most likely been the first article I would have read since I'd most likely learn something new.
I have a proposition for everyone here. After reading Larry's article in Sunshine, look at the Kentuck Art Festival website and see all the artists work AND their booth shots on there. Look in the Mixed Media portfolio of artists and find Aaron Hequembourg. One might say he could do a little better with his photography of his booth and artwork images, but guess what. He's won Best of Show all over this country. He juries into the top shows because his work is great, and that can be seen in his jury images despite their flaws. Then look at all the other artists in the show and see how they set up and photograph their booths. Some do it in a studio/controlled setting where others do it at a show.
What Larry has always suggested to artists is that they'll increase their chances of getting into a show if their images look better. If artists employ some simple tricks (and that doesn't mean fakery) when photographing the art and booth, the images will look better. Using image editing software to "clean up" images, to brighten darker areas and darken areas that are too light, to correct perspective, to erase distractions, etc. artists will increase their chances of getting into shows.
The advice might better serve newer and fledgling artists, but even the best artists can benefit from employing some or all of the techniques Larry suggests.
I've been really busy otherwise I would have replied earlier. I rented my Pro Panels and set them up for a painter who was doing a show in a hotel this weekend. I have to be down at Shadyside at 7:30 Saturday morning to help an artist friend set up. I won't get into how much other work I'm getting because of the pending Florida deadlines.
I wonder how many have actually read the article. To sum it up, I discuss how to optimize the way the booth appears to the jurors by minimizing distractions.
2D work. Take glass out of frames to minimize reflections. Arrange the top height of all the framed pieces so the eyes flow around the booth easier. Include bin(s) so your booth is representative of how it looks at a show. Choose an overcast or cloudy day to shoot so light isn't a distraction.
3D work. Arrange things so they face the tripod mounted cameras so it reads easier. Use clips or tape to take wrinkles out of table covers. And remove mirrors for the picture.
Just the other day I made a suggestion to a jeweler I was working with on a booth picture. She used glass cases with open backs and because of the camera angle, the jewelry in the cases washed out against the white canopy walls showing through the cases. My immediate reaction was to suggest using black fabric on the back of her cases for the picture (and at her shows) so the jewelry would pop for the camera and when people would look at it. She has a much better booth picture and that's how she'll be setting up from now on.
I won't be able to respond until Saturday evening or Sunday.
Larry Berman
412-401-8100
I do answer my phone if anyone has any questions.
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