Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: Codger on March 23, 2013, 04:02:16 am

Title: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Codger on March 23, 2013, 04:02:16 am
I know many of the multi-day workshops include some sort of portfolio review as one of the event's features, but that usually involves two or more days away, and several hundred dollars invested.  I'm looking for some suggestions for where I can get a good, straight evaluation using pro standards of a set of images I would submit by email, along with a more modest fee than expected for an outing.  Any comments, names or contact info would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: stevesanacore on March 23, 2013, 05:41:25 am
I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for, but, there are many photography consultants that would be happy to review your portfolio for a fee. I think you will have to quantify what your market is in order to choose the consultant as it would be a waste of time to show a landscape portfolio to a fashion photography expert. Many photography consultants have written books on building a portfolio, maybe you should start there?
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 23, 2013, 11:07:53 am
As the previous poster noted, we are missing the crucial piece of information, what type of photography you do. If fine art b&w, then try Brooks Jensen, of the LensWork fame:

http://www.lenswork.com/econsultations/econsultations.html
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Codger on March 23, 2013, 02:15:58 pm
Good point.  I shoot landscapes of scenes around the western United States.  Over the past dozen years I've sold, on average, a hundred pieces every year.  Some are small -- mounted and matted 16x20 and 22x28, but probably half are framed and glassed or plaque-type pieces ranging 32x40 up to six feet on a long side.  I'm technically sound and work with 6x7 MF film.  I feel a need to go up a notch in the caliber of image I seek and show, but I believe I need an objective "kick in the pants" to see and shoot differently.  I'm looking for someone who is "there" but who remembers what it's like where I "am."
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: bcooter on March 23, 2013, 04:19:20 pm
Remember, when you ask someone their opinion, they are obliged to tell you.

Usually they feel obligated to tell you to change something, they could be right, they could be full of bull.

If I was selling "fine art" prints I'd first decide what I want to be.  Thomas Kincade and play to the middle in volume, or Basquiat and just follow my own heart. 

Anybody reviewing those two artists works would probably be negative on both.

If your doing this for money, the only two voices worth listening to is the person that pays you and yourself.

If your not doing it for money, don't listen to anyone.

IMO

BC
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Iluvmycam on March 23, 2013, 05:07:57 pm
Portfolio reviews are pretty much a waste of time. Join a bunch of forums and post your work to get the reviews for free.

A large port review would cost me $1800 for 4 days and I could show my stuff to 20 low level critics. I spent the $1800 on direct placement of my photos with museums and some of the most prestigious rare book libraries in the world.

Museum results are still out. (Got in 2.5 of them so far.) But the rare book libraries are a great success for my letter size bound portfolios. (Got into 12 of the biggest in the world.)

I also maintain a portfolio of other photogs work I find online. Usually the images are low res, so it only produces a 6 x 9 or so on a 11 x 14 paper. I write the photogs name on the back. I have 3 levels of work I distinguish on the forums.

Like it, but wont save it.
Save it, but wont print it.
Best of all is print it.

Where you would fall into this in my eyes would be what I thought about your work. (One other categry, I don't like it, feel sorry for the photog and close it down asap.)
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Iluvmycam on March 23, 2013, 05:09:01 pm
Good point.  I shoot landscapes of scenes around the western United States.  Over the past dozen years I've sold, on average, a hundred pieces every year.  Some are small -- mounted and matted 16x20 and 22x28, but probably half are framed and glassed or plaque-type pieces ranging 32x40 up to six feet on a long side.  I'm technically sound and work with 6x7 MF film.  I feel a need to go up a notch in the caliber of image I seek and show, but I believe I need an objective "kick in the pants" to see and shoot differently.  I'm looking for someone who is "there" but who remembers what it's like where I "am."

Your selling that amount...your doing good. Are you face mounting them?

Want to do better, hire Lik as a consultant. (He is probably too rich to bother as a consultant!)

Here is one of the biggest PR's in the country if you still want to show your stuff.

http://www.fotofest.org/2012biennial/portfolioreview/
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Codger on March 24, 2013, 02:41:56 pm
Very interesting info from your link.  Thanks for mentioning it: I had not heard of this event before.  I can't do it this year, though, and it will be a while before another rolls around.  I wonder if any of the LuLa readers has tried doing this.  Anybody else have an idea or suggestion? 
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 24, 2013, 06:10:14 pm
I hesitate to disagree with someone who is consistently selling one hundred pieces a year.  I do not sell nearly that number.

I favor portfolio reviews, and especially those multi-day reviews, such as FOTO FEST not in order to have the reviewer tell me how they would have made the images differently, but to gain effective exposure to people who can show my work to buyers, to whom I have no access. 

Perhaps, my view is in the minority here.  I attend to get exposure for my work that I would be unable to get otherwise.  I select reviewers who own galleries, and use it as an opportunity to pitch my work.  I look at the reviewer's website to see what their customers buy - reasoning that they would not be showing what they cannot sell.  Sometimes I am clearly not a fit.  Other times, the gallerist is already already representing someone whose work is close enough to my own that my time would be better spent with someone else.

Then, there is the unexpected.  In two instances, one that happened to me and in another case to another artist, the reviewer said they liked the work, but it was not right for them, but that they knew someone for whom it would be perfect.  In my case, the reviewer got up walked over to the desk where another reviewer was conducting a review and recommended me.  The person to whom I was recommended saw my work later that day, and has been representing me since then.

In reading all the responses that you have received earlier than my own, the comment that reflected most closely my own was, Cooter's, to pay attention to opinions of your customers and your own.

If you are selling one hundred pieces a year, you have to be doing a lots of things right.  Maybe changing what you are showing is not in your best interest.

Jerry Reed
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Codger on March 24, 2013, 08:23:56 pm
Jerry, I appreciate your thoughtful response.  I only learned (or understood what it was) of FotoFest yesterday.  I can't make it this year but will plan for the next one.  My sales have come through a gallery showing my work for more than eight years.  It closed about a year ago.  The past six months away from its foot traffic I've sold only about 30 pieces and a lot of those had to be discounted from the gallery pricing to finish the deals.  I've decided to take this time and re-evaluate and re-direct what I'm doing.  I'm encouraged by your explanation that these reviews are as much for exposure as for self-assessment.  I look for and visit other photographers' websites several times a week, so I clicked on the link to yours to see what I might learn.  I'm impressed.  You've chosen a very select niche and look for your creativity and your work is refined and expertly done.  Thanks for your input. 
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 24, 2013, 09:41:23 pm
You have not missed Foto Fest.  It is held every other year.  This is the off year.  FotoLucida is held this year in Portland.  Maybe I will see you next year in Houston at FotoFest.  Until then good luck.

Jerry Reed
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: FredBGG on March 25, 2013, 11:32:48 am
While I am not a full time landscape photographer I do enjoy shooting landscape.
However I do buy a fair bit of landscape and fine art photography.
I also shoot film. I'd be happy to look at your work and tell you what I like.

Another suggestion. I think there is a lot more to be learnt from joining a group of photographer
for discussion and "shot and tell".

I meet with some friends that are passionate photographers. We meet about every two months and bring our prints.
Yes prints... no iPads. It's a very interesting group. Motion picture DPs, a world famous landscaper (dirt,rocks, trees etc not cameras),
actors, a park ranger, a physicist and more. This is much more interesting and fruitful that a review by a "teacher". No one tells you
what to do, but we all come out with ideas... most right out of our own heads. The trick is to get your brain going.

As the famous Helmut Newton said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18wmonxTjX0&feature=share&list=PLD22E66923E2F8D9C (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18wmonxTjX0&feature=share&list=PLD22E66923E2F8D9C)

Also it's what people like that is important that is why the notion of critique is all wrong.

Art is not like a tool. In a sense it does not have to work or have specific functionality.
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 26, 2013, 05:45:17 am
Codger,

The recent announcement of the Palm Springs Photo Festival, carried with it an insight that alerted me to an implication about portfolio reviews, which I had been previously unaware, and thought that I should share, since in earlier posts, I had been an advocate of portfolio reviews.

Here's the thing, as I have adopted the practice of reading the bios of the reviewers looking for those reviewers who owned or were representing fine art photography galleries, I became aware of what a small proportion of reviewers that they represent.  On closer reading a great number of reviewers listed their occupations as, "previously with XYC publication", or freelance designer/photographer.  Most eye-opening were a new class of reviewer.  These reviewers describe themselves as being effective in helping photographer to develop their body of work, create website and collateral materials to prepare them to market their work.  Others describe themselves as artist's representatives.  It is worth noting that the intention of this class of reviewer is to develop work for themselves.

In brief, this means that when paying for them to review one's portfolio, the artist is paying to earn the opportunity to become their client, enabling the reviewer in their full time role to make money.  Am I reading this wrong?

Jerry Reed

http://review.palmspringsphotofestival.com/connect-2013/
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Codger on March 26, 2013, 11:50:35 am
Hey, Jerry:  I've done some of that resume reading myself and was beginning to sense some of that myself.  FotoFest still seems like the best option so far, but I'll keep looking at other alternatives in the meantime.  Thanks for the heads-up.
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: pixjohn on March 26, 2013, 07:15:40 pm
I did a portfolio review with APA and found it a waste of money. It is only good if you need someone to stroke your ego. One reviewer I could tell did not want to be there. Another  reviewer said you have great work. keep it up? I see post from eyeist.com an online reviewer, but don't know much about them.
 
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: yaya on March 26, 2013, 09:43:03 pm
You may find this link useful: http://2013.palmspringsphotofestival.com/connect-2013/portfolio-reviews/ (http://2013.palmspringsphotofestival.com/connect-2013/portfolio-reviews/)
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Codger on March 27, 2013, 01:33:32 am
YaYa, thanks for the link to another possibility.  I've done a quick overview, visiting four of the subtopics and the event looks like it deserves a longer examination.  I wonder if any other LuLa readers have any experience with the Palm Springs sessions.  I read more than a dozen testimonials on the PS website, but I know those were selected.  Anybody have any words of wisdom?
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: BlasR on March 27, 2013, 09:54:55 am
$1800.00 for a reviews?

Send me 10 photos, I will do it for $800.00...then I will send 9 photos back, I will buy one from U for $300.00

so U will only spend $500.00...then I will give U tip, how U just can make $300.00 all the time U want me to reviews your work.

What do you think about that?  Or trust your self, or pay me to to tell you how U can do it...Oh Alain Briot Can do it as well...http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=alain%20briot&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beautiful-landscape.com%2F&ei=BfpSUZHjNabj4APLh4HIDw&usg=AFQjCNG0gXx6StMglhGFKkG8HeyYhZyRpA&bvm=bv.44342787,d.dmg
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 28, 2013, 06:00:35 am
Blas,

Do you own a gallery, or are you a collector?

Jerry Reed
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: BlasR on March 28, 2013, 08:18:42 am
Jerry,

I own a gallery in Santo Domingo, Zona Colonial.
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 28, 2013, 08:24:29 am
What is the name of your gallery?  Do you have an online presence?  I would be interested to see what work your patrons purchase.

Jerry Reed
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: BlasR on March 28, 2013, 11:49:24 am
Jerry,

Click down to my website..


I do not take work from anyone, I do my own, and its working just fine!!!!
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: SecondFocus on March 28, 2013, 12:59:30 pm
I am very much going to agree with bcooter yet again.

Perhaps it was last year at the Palm Springs Photo Festival when I realized that the biggest growth specialization in photography was quickly becoming "portfolio reviews". There seems to be a never ending supply of photographers of all shapes and sizes ready to cough up a credit card for more critique to send them on to great success.

As to the Palm Springs Photo Festival, which is great by the way, I have gone every year, but I live here... I know a few photographers have had some good come from getting their work seen by the right people in portfolio reviews. And that has been both in individual reviews and the big open house review where everybody has their work open in a big meeting room and everybody can come through and look and talk with you.

I also know others who have thought it was a huge waste of time and effort and money. One photographer I know who has been successful for 3 decades was working to move into another genre. He worked hard for a year to build a new portfolio. Came away from an entire day of reviews quite disgusted with what he heard. He promptly took the same portfolio to a convention/trade show of companies that were his new target genre, walked around, showed his work and picked up six new clients.

For myself after spending so much time working in bodybuilding and fitness, I never saw the value of portfolio reviews for myself. Very few people know the specialty and the industry as well as I do and outside of it, mainstream does not know a good bodybuilding or gym photo from a bad one or why it is one or the other.

My point would be buyer beware. Determine what you are trying to do and whether any specific reviewer can help you get there. Otherwise the best reviewers are the people voting for you or not with their checkbook.
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 28, 2013, 02:08:17 pm
... It is worth noting that the intention of this class of reviewer is to develop work for themselves.

In brief, this means that when paying for them to review one's portfolio, the artist is paying to earn the opportunity to become their client, enabling the reviewer in their full time role to make money.  Am I reading this wrong?...

This got me thinking. If we replace a few words, it might read like this:

"when paying for doctors to review one's health, the person is paying to earn the opportunity to become their patient, enabling the doctor in their full time role to make money."

In other words, the fact that someone is making money while trying to help you shouldn't be viewed as negative in and by itself.

To follow the medical analogy: say you have, god forbid, a serious health issue; would you rather seek and follow a free medical advice many around you would be happy to dispense, or would you rather pay a specialist for it?

Granted, photography is not about life-or-death like medicine, and not everybody needs a portfolio review, but if you feel something is not right (with your health or portfolio) I still think it pays to pay for an advice from a specialist, a carefully chosen reviewer. Someone in your field, whose work and opinion you admire and trust.
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: amsp on March 28, 2013, 02:23:43 pm
Sometimes I think there's more money to be made on photographers than actual photography  ::)
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 28, 2013, 05:46:56 pm
I like your medical analogy.  Keep in mind the person who is reviewing is being paid to evaluate the artist's portfolio in terms of its suitability for being shown in a gallery, and to recommend how it might be improved if needed (in their opinion). 

But since the reviewers I am writing about, do not own a gallery, they are without a means to effect a remedy to your situation.  They are doctors without a license to prescribe or fill a medication for your condition. 

What they are offering is an opportunity to make an appointment for further sessions, during which they will be developing a promotional plan for you, etc.

It's like the question: "How many chiropractors does it take to change a light bulb?"

Answer:  Only one, but it take 20 visits.

Jerry Reed

Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 28, 2013, 06:25:39 pm
... But since the reviewers I am writing about, do not own a gallery, they are without a means to effect a remedy to your situation.  They are doctors without a license to prescribe or fill a medication for your condition...

Again, this isn't necessarily as bad as it seems.

At the risk of boring everyone with the analogy: a doctor with a license to prescribe a medication might select the one where he gets the most kickback from the pharmaceutical company (legally or not), not the one you might benefit from the most.

The same goes for a number of other advisors: investment ones for instance, might offer their services for free or for a flat fee. In the first case, you pay nothing, but they get a commission from the sale of securities. Meaning you are not sure if their advice is based on your best interest, or on where they would generate the most in commissions.

The same with portfolios and galleries: if they own a gallery, their advice might be geared toward getting you into their gallery, which is not necessarily the best gallery for you.

As usual, caveat emptor (buyer beware) ;)

EDIT: Jerry, just noticed how my medical analogies turned out to be quite appropriate, given your own medical background :)

Also, checked out your web site and your Paper Work - brilliant and fascinating!
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 28, 2013, 06:58:01 pm
No gallerist that I have met would choose to show someone's work that would not sell and sell well.  Should they choose an artist's work that does not sell, they earn nothing for the space that they are taking up, that could be better used.   On the face of it, to persuade (should convincing be required - not in my case I assure you) an artist to show their work whose work will not sell would be against the gallerist's best interest.  To  suggest otherwise in unsupportable. 

Ergo, no offer made to show my work would be against my interest.  In the words of the Bill Withers song, " If it feels this good being used, use me up."

Thank you for you kind words about my work.

Jerry Reed
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Slobodan Blagojevic on March 28, 2013, 07:25:58 pm
No gallerist that I have met would choose to show someone's work that would not sell and sell well... Ergo, no offer made to show my work would be against my interest...

Fair enough.

However, i had the opposite scenario in mind: where the artist's work is better than the gallery. Of course they would love to have you. It's like Hollywood A-listers: is it in the best interest of their long-term careers to play in any movie they are offered?

What if the gallery in question is at the same time selling the proverbial Elvis portraits on black velvet? Would you like to be associated with such a gallery? Wouldn't that cheapen your work for collectors?

Also, if working with one, ten or 100 galleries simultaneously would require the same amount of time and effort from you, then of course "no offer made to show your work would be against your interest." But working with galleries does require at least some time and effort on your part, so it makes sense to prioritize, be selective, and work mostly with galleries that provide the most sales and prestige. Me thinks.
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: JerryReed on March 28, 2013, 08:52:40 pm
I have not yet encountered NYC galleries showing paintings on velvet.  I have already responded to the other hypotheticals that you proffered.

Jerry
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Ljupiter on March 29, 2013, 12:01:03 am
I must say its nice to see you are not giving your hard work away
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: nik on April 01, 2013, 01:39:48 am
Who of your favorite landscape photographers are still alive? I'd suggest reaching out and asking some of them. They may not all get back to you but you will get some replies. I was lucky enough to bump into one of my heroes once and asked him there and then (i had some of my work from a recent show with me) what he thought of it. I got answers, helpful, harsh, to the point. And a bit of praise to keep me going.

Best,

Nik
Title: Re: Portfolio reviews
Post by: Codger on April 01, 2013, 01:55:59 am
That's a suggestion worth mulling.  Yes, there are several shooters active whose work I admire and even attempt to emulate as I analyze their approach to different subjects and situations. I wonder if guys who photograph the western U.S. would see me as a potential trespasser to "their" territory: my list is people who reside and specialize in that area.  As the old sales training line goes: "what's the worst that could happen?"  Thanks for the input, Nik.