I knew my booth shot from last year was not great so I took advantage of a rare nice day in Chicago to try and get a new one. I would love any critiques!
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
This reply was deleted.
I knew my booth shot from last year was not great so I took advantage of a rare nice day in Chicago to try and get a new one. I would love any critiques!
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
Replies
Hi Sara,
I agree with much that has been already said. My booth has had many incarnations as both connie and Larry will attest. When I was using gridwalls, at one point, I backed my gridwall with fabric so that I could use the grid part to hang things but it would be against a solid color. Look for a fairly heavy solid colored fabric (not white) rather than the wispy curtains to put on the backside of your grids and attach firmly so the fabric is smooth and doesn't waver. I would lose the table or cover it with a fitted tablecloth from Collector's House (online). Do you need the table in the jury shot? Doesn't look like much is on it. For the jury photo at least, I would lose the walls jutting out and move the hanging bar to the back corner. It gives the booth an inner sanctum look which obsures what you are selling - it may also discourage some customers from entering. Put your best selling product up at the front within the first two feet of your booth to pull people in. What about one of those spirally hanging things? - I have friends who are fabric artist who use them to hang clothing samples. Another thought is shelving to hold the purses. Good luck - it's a process
Sara,
If you would like to borrow my floor for you booth shot, I am willing to send it, just pay the shipping. Let me know if you would like to do that. Elle stloustyler@yahoo.com
Thanks for all the advice. I am going to try and get another shot tomorrow after I make some fabric to cover the gridwall. The weather is cooperating so far! If anyone has used fabric to cover gridwall how do you attach it? Will keep you posted for the redo!
Best way is to make large pillow cases, if you're going to show with it. Fabric twice the length of a single grid, folded in half, and seamed on the sides so it doesn't show.
For the purpose of the booth shot, duct tape, large safety pins, a-clamps will all do the job. Just wrap it around to the back (non-photo side) and pull tight to remove as many of the wrinkles as you can. Then fasten with your choice of fastener. A-clamps are fastest and most secure, but you may have problems hiding them from the camera. Duct tape can be run down the full length of a side, but may pull loose. In fact, it will, just when you don't want it to. If you have the fold at the top, the fabric can take some stress without falling off the grid. If you wrap around, it will bag in the middle.
If you light the booth from inside with clamp lights, you may be able to shoot at dusk, and control the lighting completely. If you haven't done that before, it does take quite a bit of light bouncing from the roof. It helps to use diffusion over the lights, too. Non-flammable fabric or shower curtain material. Lee 216, if you're near Calumet Photo.
The strange warm weather continues in Chicago so I was able to try and get in another booth shot. Stayed up till midnight sewing fabric covers for the panels, hauled everything back outside again and with the patient Larry Berman was able to hopefully get a great shot. Can't wait to see it! Thank you to everyone for all the advice and info. I will post the after pics when I get them.
I know it was a huge pain, but you will be sooooooooooo happy you did it Sara.
Lots of good ideas, here, Sara. Right? Grid is fine, just cover it with some solid color fabric so your work stands out against it. Really, really cheap are painters dropcloths and you can paint them in a color of your choice. This doesn't mean you need to use them at the shows (I know the others won't like that suggestion, too bad), but for the shot it will dress up your booth. I know others have used them. I am not fond of Pro Panel desks, walls, etc., especially for a feminine booth. You might consider grouping your pieces, maybe the biggest one on the back wall to draw the eye in.
And -- it is going to be warm in our area again early in the week -- maybe another chance?
Brave man, Larry, to offer up suggestions here. I'd have to agree. The gridwall does nothing to help your art, except obscure what you make. Too much pattern. The carpet is disconcertingly floaty, a little like Aladdin's ride. The alternating light and dark on the back wall, coupled with the backlight and the gridwall, overpowers the small objects hanging there.
The best thing you could do is to cover the grid wall with something that is relatively neutral and provides a good background for your work. The ruffle at the top of the tent is a nice thought and does help to hide the mechanics of the EZ-Up, but the unfinished edge still looks like an afterthought.
Oh well, there's always next year.
Jim, Not sure how to take that remark to Larry. If it's meant as sarcasm to slam my booth....why? I know my booth is not the typical propanels with paintings on the walls. My work is never going to fit that mold.If someone has some different ideas as to how to display wearable art I'm all ears. I love to hear other ideas. I thought that was what this forum was for. The wood floor is a great idea but unfortunately not in the budget at this time!
Sara I know it is difficult to put your booth shot up for critique, but your booth shot doesn't represent your talent, work or you, it is just a booth shot. I find it next to impossible to be objective with my work and I bug everyone who is willing to look at my jury shots to look and give me feedback. So please try to not take any of it personally. You have been given some excellent advice for free from some VERY knowledgeable people. We realize it is frustrating to put your booth back up and redo, but when you have a chance try and set it up and leave it up. Post the pic and start playing with it and reposting the pic. Also try and go to a jury or watch one online and it will help you understand why people are mentioning some of these things.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next