 Robin |
preparing photos for an exhibtion Hi, I'm trying to plan for my first exhibit at a small gallery. It's not a particularly fancy place, but I still am trying my best to pretend I know what I’m doing (even though I have no idea!) My question is about the printing and framing of the hangings. They are going to be #1s in a limited-edition run and priced fairly high so they need to be of good quality. I don’t have my own printing equipment so I have to use a lab. I found one lab that prints inexpensively but the back of the paper says Kodak or Fuji or something. Is that unprofessional? Do I need to spend the money for prints from a traditional/professional photography lab? Do I need to spend the extra money for acrylic instead of regular glass on the frames? If I do all the things I’ve discovered in my research, I’m going to spend a fortune because I have about 20 photos in the show. Or is that just the way it goes and you hope to make some back in sales? Any suggestions? Also, the gallery has asked for an artist’s statement. Anyone know of any good examples? Thanks! I’m trying to fake my way into legitimacy!
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John P. Sandstedt |
Manufacturers of papers have neen putting their logos on the backs of paper for years. It's not necessarily going to cause any issues. But, regardless of logos, be sure that high quality paper is used [there are many grades] and that the printing is good. You should consider how you'll frame your images. You should mount them using window mounts. Reasonably priced ones can be found in Michael's, AC Moore, etc. Be sure you buy the double layer kind, where you slide your print between a window mat and a backing. Note that once you do this the paper manufacturer's logo won't be visible. Check out the way museums frame artwork. Usually, a small collection of pieces are framed identically. That is, the same kind of frame, the same color mat. Mat color is, od f course, a matter of personal choice. Some folks use white or black only; some folks select the color based on the art itself or the room in which the image/painting will be placed. For a small show you'd probably be better off using white or black mats. And, there's nothing wrong with using black metal frames at a small show. The point is presentation of your collection of images. If one or more are sold, the purchaser just might want the image reframed anyway. I'm not sure what you consider a "small fortune" I frame a matted 12X18 print in 16X20 black metal frame for about $25.00. If you go to a professional frame, you will spend a fortune. When I paid ~$250 to frame my son's college diploma, I knew there had to be a cheaper way. I now cut my own mats and do all my own framing. I framed 18 of my son's award certificates [he's an attorney] including his law school diploma, his wife's undergrad and graduate school diplomas, etc. for a materials cost of about $300. Not really too bad. If you go to a professional frame, you will spend a fortune. Hope this helps.
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John Rhodes |
Here's a crop from an outdoor show that shows what an exhibit looks like when there is consistency in the mounting materials. John
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Robin |
Dear John S. and John R, Thank you both for the good information! It is very helpful. John S., you mention paper quality. How do you tell the difference in quality grades? Thanks,
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Since you use a lab, pick a good lab. You'll get good paper. If you were doing your own printing, you can ask other people what they've like to use. One thing, within a brand, the paper that is labeled it's best, is a pretty safe way to go. Some brands are better than others(there's opinion in that too), but finding a brand that you like, using whatever is called the best it has, is a good way to go. For artist statement, that's just the stuff about trying to capture the unusual, always had a passion, frozen moments that preserve what is ultimately a short time we have on earth...(incense are burning)
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John P. Sandstedt |
If you go to the Adorama website, search on inkjet paper. There you will find many manufacturers and many different papers. There are huge price differentials. Art papers can run $3.00 a sheet or more; other papers might be as inexpensive as $0.35/sheet. Now, look at Epson's offering. You'll see many, many papers to choose from. Then look at Canon's - many fewer choices. You shouls start with the paper from the manufacturer of your printer if you plan to do your own printing. I always recommend the highest quality by a given manufacturer, usually described as "Pro." My printer is a Canon i9900; Canon's best paper is Photo Paper ro. Going back to the Adorama site, Adorama has its own family of papers. I've not used any of them, but Adorama offers a trial pack [maybe even two] with two sheets of perhaps four or five papers. I use Ilford; standardizing on Galleria in the Green box [glossy for color] and Red Box [Pearl for B&W.} Ilford offers several different glossy papers and Pearl finish papers - the green and red boxed papers work with my printer best. Kodak has a variety of papers. Their top of the line was called Ultima [and available in glossy and satin finishes.] I think they've changed the name, but you'd still want the company's best [and possibly priciest] paper. I don't know if they have a selection package. I haven't tried the expensive papers - since most of my 13X19's are spray adhesive mounted for competitions, I'm not interested in spending huge amounts for paper when it's easy for an entry to become "damaged." If I were to get a sale, I'd certainly spring for a higher priced paper.
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
Yes, I like Ilford's smooth pearl. If you ever end up doing your own printing with it, you may have to do a custom profile. Which is just setting up color adjustments and stuff for a paper. Instead of using regular preset settings. There are other's I like. Pictorico, Oriental...
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