Exhibition deliberations……..it’s nearly time to make some key decisions
Jetty posts at Dell Quay
It’s now less than four months before my exhibition takes place at The Oxmarket Centre of Arts in Chichester. As a consequence my deliberations are intensifying, as the time is fast approaching when decisions need to be made. I settled on a theme for the exhibition a while ago – all the images would be of Chichester Harbour. I did waiver recently when I thought I might want to display a more eclectic mix but I soon returned to my original intention to show a body of work centered on one topic. I am pleased I have done so, particularly as the subject matter is local to where the exhibition is being staged.
As I am sharing the gallery with five other photographers, allocation of hanging space is all important as this will help me make a number of decisions. Firstly the number of images I will have room to display, secondly their size and finally their placement. I already know that I do not want to hang as many pictures as I first thought. I believe a viewer can quickly be overloaded by too many photographs, so I am of the opinion that a smaller selection of the very best images will prove to be more effective. However this means that my proposed short list will have to shrink even further before the final choice of pictures can be identified for printing and framing. This process is already proving more difficult than I thought, but my deliberations can only continue for so long. Trouble is, I also want to display two sizes. I know the respective measurements but which ones should get star billing?
Choice of photographic paper has been made and soft proofing already undertaken to ensure the quality of each print meets my expectations. I have not out-sourced the printing as I like to maintain complete control, although framing will be done by a local professional.
This image ‘Jetty posts at Dell Quay” is on my short list and very soon I will have decided whether or not it will appear at the exhibition, but in the meantime I would like to share this picture and my ongoing thoughts with you.
As always do click on the image to view and appreciate a larger version.
alan frost photography 
12 Responses to “Exhibition deliberations……..it’s nearly time to make some key decisions”
Ah, I was at this stage 15 months ago, and the choice and order was helped in my case by printing all possibles out as 6×4 enprints do I could shuffle them around and change the order, but is sounds like you’re ahead of that.
I completely agree about the printing decision – I did the same as I had to have control if he final image, and in my case I matted and framed them all myself.
It’s a fantastic experience to complete and I look forward to seeing your finished results and meeting you as well.
Grsham
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Thanks Graham. It’s great fun. I am thoroughly enjoying the whole experience and learning a lot along the way. I too printed postcard size versions but have also found ‘survey view’ in Lightroom very useful. Soft Proofing has also been invaluable.
I think I’m nearly there with my final selection, until that is I change my mind again!
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I think its easier to chose someone else’s images (I believe this is called curating and its all the rage, these days). I value my husband’s opinion on these matters.
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I agree with what you say. I often refer to my wife who provides me with valuable advice. Critiquing your own work is a very hard thing to do.
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Impossible, I think!!
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Best of luck with the exhibition & I agree: get someone else to do the final selection, my wife who is a water colour artist, always got myself or our daughter to make the final decision and luck would have it, our decisions seem to always sell 😉
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Thank you David. As others have said, seeking advice from people whose opinions you value, has to make a lot of sense.
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First, congratulations on your upcoming exhibit! As someone who has been through the process of mounting a show, I find it frustrating (?) the lack of appreciation the general public have for how much hard work goes into that part of photography. Forget the cost (oh sure) of printing, mounting and framing. Forget the work of getting ones fragile cargo to the show site. Forget the work of lugging and hanging. For me it’s the mental anguish of making the list, then the anguish of second guessing oneself. All for the privilege of having some parent tell us that they have a son/daughter who takes pictures just like ours. Why do we do it?
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Thanks Steven. I guess the answer to your question is that it completes the cycle. From taking, to making, to printing and to finally exhibiting the work. I enjoying sharing my images on the web but I enjoy printing even more and to be able to then frame and show your work in a public space has to be the ultimate form of sharing, other than possibly producing a book which is probably cost prohibitive. I am sure I will get the inevitable ‘what camera do you use?’ and other similar remarks. As I am part of a small group there is also the social side of sharing the experience with other ‘slightly mad’ photographers who also wish to exhibit their work! Will I want to do it again – well, I’ll try and answer that question at the end of November!
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Decisions, decisions. One of the hardest things I find is being truly objective about my work. Images so often have back stories or sentimental attachments that influence our judgement. A good choice to pick images that are ‘local’, it helps the visitors connect with your work. We’ve had lunch at Dell Quay a couple of times, lovely spot.
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The decisions I have to make are made harder by virtue of the fact I want to present a body of work, which combine in a cohesive way and in so doing have some form of narrative. In time I am even thinking that a larger collection of images may form the basis of a book on the area – we shall see but I like to have an objective not to mention a challenge! Luckily we can walk from our home to Dell Quay and back with our dog – we very often do, and with a camera over the shoulder of course!
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Always good to have a challenge/project on the go.
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