Help with creating a Photographic Portfolio

Alok · October 8th, 2007, 09:35 AM

Hey guys, having decided to switch streams from Informatics to Photography, a lot of applying universities/colleges/agencies require to obviously have a portfolio.

To all the photographers here, pretty please enlighten me with any details/formats/methods to create one?

Thanks a big bunch

Alok

flamingice · October 8th, 2007, 06:18 PM

So, making the big switch hey? I've thought about doing that before... but never really seriously. Sorry, no tips about creating a portfolio, but good luck with it!

Cosworth · October 8th, 2007, 06:20 PM

About picking your prints, use ONLY the best, don't put stuff in there to make up space. Always have the very very best at the start and work from there. Some people try to build them up as they go along, climaxing at the very end but that won't work. Most viewers only look at the first few pages !

BerserkerCatSplat · October 8th, 2007, 07:41 PM

I would also keep similar "themes" together, don't mix candids with motorsports - your portfolio should have some "flow" to it.

Alok · October 8th, 2007, 09:09 PM

I read upon the theme bit, but I was more concerned about how it should look like, you know, appearance and stuff.

BerserkerCatSplat · October 8th, 2007, 09:22 PM

Oh, I see. Well, that's more of a personal taste thing than anything, but I'll post Steve Demmitt's portfolio so you can see what a really, really nice one looks like. Keep in mind that the materials and construction were somewhere over the price of a 5D.

http://www.stevedemmitt.com/images/Print_Portfolio/1.jpg

http://www.stevedemmitt.com/images/Print_Portfolio/2.jpg

http://www.stevedemmitt.com/images/Print_Portfolio/3.jpg

http://www.stevedemmitt.com/images/Print_Portfolio/4.jpg

Alok · October 8th, 2007, 09:24 PM

^ I believe inside it's just a folder of pictures? Or some sort of a collage thing?

BerserkerCatSplat · October 9th, 2007, 12:10 AM

Yep, folder of 8X10 or 8X12 prints.

hansvonaxion · October 9th, 2007, 08:43 AM

Some places might have definite guidelines for what they want. Might want to check ahead so you dont waste time/money. Also it pays to have some people (whose opinions you respect/trust) help you with editing. Sometimes its difficult letting a print go that you might personally have some attachment to, but may not be a particularly good print.

BigDaveDogg · October 11th, 2007, 07:44 AM

Colleges require a portfolio when you apply? I never knew...

jayhawk · October 22nd, 2007, 12:22 AM

Sorry for the long delay Alok, but I stumbled across this today.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/co...tfolio-8.shtml

I am in the same situation you are; I am looking to be an apprentice to a professional photographer for six months to one year, so I also need to put together something.

Or if anybody knows of a pro in need of an apprentice in the Chicagoland area...

pdanev · October 22nd, 2007, 01:12 AM

Even though I'm just your average hobby photographer, and in no way considering to make a portfolio, that was a very nice and interesting read Jay. Some very wise tips there imho. I think all serious photographers should read this, it's a waste of nice work if you don't know how to present it to the audience.

Cobol74 · October 22nd, 2007, 01:24 AM

Off the wall suggestion - post a dozen pics and create a poll; you then get a ranking - put the highest score first in the portfolio. If, as has been said the first few only get appraised you should get your best (at least those that appeal to a selection of the cognoscenti from around the world) first then.

Nice story to tell when describing your portfolio for college, possibly.

By the way - good luck, and as an IT person all I can say is that is the correct thing to do; you've got the makings bursting out of your seams.

October 8th, 2007, 09:35 AM	#1
Alok A Small Influence On Koenigsegg Joined: Apr 1st, 2005 Last Online: 10:32 AM Location: Bruchsal, Deutschland Age: 21 Posts: 2,924 Rep Power: 46	Help with creating a Photographic Portfolio Hey guys, having decided to switch streams from Informatics to Photography, a lot of applying universities/colleges/agencies require to obviously have a portfolio. To all the photographers here, pretty please enlighten me with any details/formats/methods to create one? Thanks a big bunch Alok __________________

October 8th, 2007, 06:18 PM	#2
flamingice Joined: Nov 25th, 2005 Last Online: December 1st, 2008 Location: It's complicated. Posts: 865 Rep Power: 13	So, making the big switch hey? I've thought about doing that before... but never really seriously. Sorry, no tips about creating a portfolio, but good luck with it! __________________

October 8th, 2007, 06:20 PM	#3
Cosworth Joined: Mar 24th, 2005 Last Online: 02:14 PM Location: Waterford, Rep of Ireland Age: 22 Posts: 1,713 LFS Status: Rep Power: 26	About picking your prints, use ONLY the best, don't put stuff in there to make up space. Always have the very very best at the start and work from there. Some people try to build them up as they go along, climaxing at the very end but that won't work. Most viewers only look at the first few pages ! __________________ Catch My Drift? W:www.pmcgphotos.com Powered by Canon.

October 8th, 2007, 07:41 PM	#4
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 05:32 PM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,794 Car: Pimpmobile Rep Power: 69	I would also keep similar "themes" together, don't mix candids with motorsports - your portfolio should have some "flow" to it. __________________ OSPhoto

October 8th, 2007, 09:09 PM	#5
Alok A Small Influence On Koenigsegg Joined: Apr 1st, 2005 Last Online: 10:32 AM Location: Bruchsal, Deutschland Age: 21 Posts: 2,924 Rep Power: 46	I read upon the theme bit, but I was more concerned about how it should look like, you know, appearance and stuff. __________________

October 8th, 2007, 09:22 PM	#6
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 05:32 PM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,794 Car: Pimpmobile Rep Power: 69	Oh, I see. Well, that's more of a personal taste thing than anything, but I'll post Steve Demmitt's portfolio so you can see what a really, really nice one looks like. Keep in mind that the materials and construction were somewhere over the price of a 5D. __________________ OSPhoto

October 8th, 2007, 09:24 PM	#7
Alok A Small Influence On Koenigsegg Joined: Apr 1st, 2005 Last Online: 10:32 AM Location: Bruchsal, Deutschland Age: 21 Posts: 2,924 Rep Power: 46	^ I believe inside it's just a folder of pictures? Or some sort of a collage thing? __________________

October 9th, 2007, 12:10 AM	#8
BerserkerCatSplat Hormone Induced Joined: Jun 21st, 2005 Last Online: 05:32 PM Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,794 Car: Pimpmobile Rep Power: 69	Yep, folder of 8X10 or 8X12 prints. __________________ OSPhoto

October 9th, 2007, 08:43 AM	#9
hansvonaxion Joined: Apr 8th, 2005 Last Online: 02:17 PM Posts: 1,096 Rep Power: 29	Some places might have definite guidelines for what they want. Might want to check ahead so you dont waste time/money. Also it pays to have some people (whose opinions you respect/trust) help you with editing. Sometimes its difficult letting a print go that you might personally have some attachment to, but may not be a particularly good print.

October 11th, 2007, 07:44 AM	#10
BigDaveDogg Joined: Aug 30th, 2007 Last Online: Yesterday Location: Illinois Posts: 986 Car: GSX-R600K7 Rep Power: 37	Colleges require a portfolio when you apply? I never knew... __________________

October 22nd, 2007, 12:22 AM	#11
jayhawk Cigar Smoking Man Joined: Dec 11th, 2005 Last Online: 02:17 AM Location: A-Town, Illinois. Age: 33 Posts: 5,008 Car: MY07 G11 WRX-TR WRB. Rep Power: 88	Sorry for the long delay Alok, but I stumbled across this today. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/co...tfolio-8.shtml I am in the same situation you are; I am looking to be an apprentice to a professional photographer for six months to one year, so I also need to put together something. Or if anybody knows of a pro in need of an apprentice in the Chicagoland area... __________________ It is nice to have friends like you on this forum. ...A fox among the chickens... Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery None but ourselves can free our minds…

October 22nd, 2007, 01:12 AM	#12
pdanev Joined: Oct 4th, 2004 Last Online: December 3rd, 2008 Location: Netherlands Age: 25 Posts: 5,643 LFS Status: Rep Power: 24	Even though I'm just your average hobby photographer, and in no way considering to make a portfolio, that was a very nice and interesting read Jay. Some very wise tips there imho. I think all serious photographers should read this, it's a waste of nice work if you don't know how to present it to the audience.

October 22nd, 2007, 01:24 AM	#13
Cobol74 Joined: Mar 21st, 2006 Last Online: 06:01 PM Location: Southampton Posts: 5,835 Car: Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 TDI Slush box. Rep Power: 50	Off the wall suggestion - post a dozen pics and create a poll; you then get a ranking - put the highest score first in the portfolio. If, as has been said the first few only get appraised you should get your best (at least those that appeal to a selection of the cognoscenti from around the world) first then. Nice story to tell when describing your portfolio for college, possibly. By the way - good luck, and as an IT person all I can say is that is the correct thing to do; you've got the makings bursting out of your seams. __________________

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