JPG Magazine: 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 October 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

10 Responses

On 8 October 2008 dominic serrao said:
Subject based may appeal to a wider audience... something like Nature's treasures.
On 8 October 2008 Migdalia Saavedra gave props:
Keep it simple , and go with your gut intinct. Love the ones you pick
On 8 October 2008 Richard Seah gave props:
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!
On 8 October 2008 Ray Kenn gave props:
Keep it simple, show your range of subjects and image types, realize that you will never please everyone, HAVE FUN! Your work is excellent
On 8 October 2008 Marty Coleman said:
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.
On 9 October 2008 Thomas Brauer said:
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.
On 10 October 2008 Marshall said:
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
On 23 October 2008 Colleen Appleton gave props:
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!!!!!
On 25 October 2008 Pamela Hubbard gave props:
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!
On 7 November 2008 Photography Seven said:
i was searching for the same advice