Getting & Hanging a Show
Here are a few tips for those of you interested in having your photographs seen in a gallery.
You should have 20 to 30 very good images - properly exposed and focused with a consistent viewpoint or unique look. Recognize that there is tremendous competition to have work accepted by a gallery. Do not let this deter you but you must do your homework. Visit any gallery several times before approaching them to make sure that what you are doing fits with what they are showing. Other wise you are wasting your time.
Assuming your work is similar to what they have been showing; ask how they want to see submissions, e.g., prints, cd or website - give it to them the way they want it! If a gallery accepts your work, be prepared to give over half the profits to the gallery.
Another path is to approach so called "vanity galleries." These galleries usually charge you to hang a show and are more interested in your money then the quality of your work. They will give your work exposure but offer no feather for your cap.
If you do get a show put a lot of energy into promoting it. Advertising can be expensive but not making the effort is like not believing in your self. This is especially true if you manage to get into a major gallery. Give it your all.
Preparing to hang a show in a gallery presents many important decisions which you must make and some which the gallery makes for you.
The gallery will no doubt have specific rules for how your work should be signed. Typically, you will be signing photographic prints on the back and listing the title, date taken, media type, e.g., digital print or C print, etc. and width and height of image.
As to signing and putting a title on the mat, there are two schools of thought. Some think you shouldn't put anything on mat front that will detract from image. Others see no problem with this. The decision is yours.
Another big question is whether to cut your own mats. This ties in with whether to use custom or standard image sizes. If you are cropping your images to odd sizes and must custom cut mats it will really escalate costs. Using standard image sizes will let you buy pre-cut mats and find better deals on frames.
If you do cut your own mats, make sure the cuts are clean and crisp. Nothing will detract from your image more then a sloppy mat. You can make matting easier by printing all your work at a standard canvas size but using a smaller image size. For instance, printing a 7.5 x 11.5 image on a standard size 8 x 12 paper.
As for frames...simple black frames are usually the best presentation vehicles. Glass is cheaper but not suitable for larger size frames. Plexiglas can scratch easily. It comes in different types: non glare is the best but costs more.
Good luck, Ken Nadle
