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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Digital Portfolio Options
Kerri McMullen, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | | Posted: 3:40 PM on 11.29.07 |
->> Other than PowerPoint I am wondering what other way I can put together a digital portfolio of my work to then put onto a disk and mail out to potential employers.
I do not know Flash well at all, which is what my website is now and needs updated.
Thanks |
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Nathan Papes, Student/Intern
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Springfield | MO | United States | Posted: 3:50 PM on 11.29.07 |
| ->> I made a pdf using adobe indesign. It turned out really well and was pretty easy to use |
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Kerri McMullen, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | | Posted: 7:12 PM on 11.29.07 |
->> Does anyone here object to sending a CD portfolio made up of a PDF of my work?
How would editors like to see work? |
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Chris Proctor, Photographer
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Kerri McMullen, Photographer
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Pittsburgh | PA | | Posted: 9:02 AM on 11.30.07 |
| ->> What about programs for MAC users? |
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David Ahntholz, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Cleveland | OH | USA | Posted: 9:22 AM on 11.30.07 |
->> I used to use Apimac Slide Show (http://www.apimac.com/slide_show/index.php)
It's simple and works pretty well. You can export it out for watching on the Mac and PC. You can download and try it, but when you export it out, it puts a "trial version" tag on anything you export. The license is $30 to export Mac-only slideshows and $50 to export both Mac and PC slideshows.
You could also do it through iPhoto/Quicktime. If you buy Quicktime Pro, it can show as a full-screen movie. |
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John Nowak, Photographer
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Atlanta | GA | USA | Posted: 10:03 AM on 11.30.07 |
->> Unless the employer is specifically requesting a digital portfolio, I would avoid them. Besides compatibility issues, most editors really dislike when someone sends them a slideshow or a program that does not allow them to review at their own leisure (i.e. click through at a quick pace). Photo editors are busy people and most will give your portfolio all of about ten seconds to make an impression. Otherwise they'll hit the eject buttom.
If you really must do a disc, then make two folders on it. One with a pdf/quicktime/powerpoint/whatever and one that just has the jpegs. I would bet that a majority of editors will go for the jpeg folder and just browse via Photo Mechanic or Bridge. Remember to include captions in the photos or on a separate contact sheet.
I believe, and I think many photo editors do, that the best option is still a book. Yup, an expensive to print, expensive to ship book. You need to make an impression and nothing says that like a nice collection full of your own glossy prints. You can design it yourself and put the pages in sleeves or even do a bound version for less than $50 via Blurb (www.blurb.com) Either way the advantage is that you have control over the tone and size of your pictures rather than the reviewer's monitor.
I got the chance to review a few ports recently for an NGO and I couldn't believe what they handed me. Some of these photographers were well into their careers and had World Press awards to their name. Their presentation? A tornup CD written with illegible sharpie scribbles. A 25 cent paper folder crammed with a disc, and some stapled, poor quality contact sheets. And my favorite...the guy sends a business card (not his) with his name and email address. These portfolios had been sitting on a shelf for almost a year and my guess would be because they looked like hell. Had one of them put effort into their portfolio then I doubt they would have been cast aside.
Basically, if you put some class in your presentation, it will help get you noticed. You don't need gold embossing or a racing stripe (although that would be interesting) Just make a book with your best prints and send it out to a select few of your best options rather than blitzkrieging 30 places with a CD and hoping for the best. Also, most newspapers are now requiring multimedia or video in a portfolio, so I would suggest putting a CD/DVD in your book in case they want to check out your new media skills.
Anyway, I hope some of this helps. |
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