Weight, outside shows and security

I have improved my tent setup dramatically for this fall. I went from 5-7 framed pieces to 20+ I had to buy more panels to hold it all. This show will be my booth photo for next year.

I have two questions related to wind/weather with my first three-day show. My other show this fall is under a large tent so I'm less worried there. My outside show is in a shopping center with buildings on all sides which act as decent wind guards.

1. I can zip tie my gridwall panels to the tent or leave them free standing. There's no feet for the panels by necessity and i've had problems in the past with walls hitting my artwork and everything swaying slightly and one time even falling down. Which is better, freestanding or connected to the legs for stability?

2. I have 50lbs of weight for each corner (I used a luggage scale to weigh) and I have ropes to secure to the top of the tent and the tent came with a metal panel for each foot that is designed to help weight press on the feet (this works well) Will this be enough weight?

3. What do photographers do overnight? I've seen all four sides closed up on tents so I'll do that. Do they remove all art and stow it away or leave it hanging? is hanging art left up and everything else put away overnight?

1) Zip tie the panels to the frame and legs. It adds weight and stability.

2) 50 pounds are adequate for vitually all cases. I've been in 60mph thunderstorms with 35-40 pound weights and gotten along nicely. If I'm really concerned, I'll add a concrete block with a wood panel glued to the block and use lag screws to attach the tent legs to the block AND use the hanging weights.

3) I leave my photos up overnight. If the area is shaky, then I would take them down. That's your comfort level, and whether you will sleep okay with the decision. If you have a new EZ-Up with the sieve-like top, take the work down or invest in a bunch of shower curtains you can clamp to the top of the panels and cover the work. Don't forget to cover flip bins in this scenario.

Replies

Peter William Katke September 9, 2011 at 10:52am

If the weather looks bad, I'll take all my frames off the bottom row because a lot of times the wind and rain blow up under the tent. I don't take them out, I just throw them in the print bin or on the desk inside. I've never had anything stolen but if I did, the small amount of time it would cost me to replace something is far less than it would cost to remove everything every night and re-hnag it. Not worth it...
Cassius Callender September 9, 2011 at 9:52am

2. 50lbs of weight for each corner should be good. That is what I have with my Trimline, which is pretty sturdy on its own.

3. For me it depends on 1) weather, 2) location, 3) security being used. I have been to shows where I leave everything up overnight. For others I have taken the art down (at least the framed ones with glass).
Alison Thomas September 7, 2011 at 2:00pm

My photographs are under glass so condensation can be an issue. I always cover my work with cotton sheets which cuts down on the condensation. I also try and leave some space between the bottom of the sides and the ground which will increase airflow and cut down on condensation.
Robert Wallis September 7, 2011 at 12:41pm

1) Zip tie the panels to the frame and legs. It adds weight and stability.

2) 50 pounds are adequate for vitually all cases. I've been in 60mph thunderstorms with 35-40 pound weights and gotten along nicely. If I'm really concerned, I'll add a concrete block with a wood panel glued to the block and use lag screws to attach the tent legs to the block AND use the hanging weights.

3) I leave my photos up overnight. If the area is shaky, then I would take them down. That's your comfort level, and whether you will sleep okay with the decision. If you have a new EZ-Up with the sieve-like top, take the work down or invest in a bunch of shower curtains you can clamp to the top of the panels and cover the work. Don't forget to cover flip bins in this scenario.
- mea rhee > Robert Wallis September 7, 2011 at 4:59pm
  
  Robert, what kind of glue did you use to glue the concrete block to the wood panel? That sounds like a great idea.
  - Robert Wallis > mea rhee September 7, 2011 at 5:24pm
    
    Liquid Nails. You'll need a caulking gun to apply the glue as it comes in large construction size tubes. the glue and the caulking gun are both cheap.
    
    BTW, use concrete blocks that are flat on the end rather than having the notch at the end. It looks way more decorative than an ordinary block. Use a couple of coats of primer on the block and wood, and then paint with a glossy white paint. If you use Pro-Panels, figure out where the feet need to go and use a hole saw bit to drill out an opening large enough for the feet to drop through. Depending on your panels and booth arrangement, you may be able to set the panels over the block and you won't need to make a hole in the wood. keep in mind that in some locations you have exactly 10 feet and the blocks will need to stay withinf the confines of the booth space.

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