Edit thyself: Hints for FotoFest photographers or any other artist
Feb 20th, 2008 by Brad
A key thing for any photographer to do is to edit oneself. Most fine-art photographers I know take too many images and then try to keep and show all of them. Reality is that when you are showing your work to collectors, gallerists, curators, magazines, etc. you really need to focus them on your best work. This also applies to submitting your work to contests or going through a portfolio review like the upcoming FotoFest 2008 Photographer’s portfolio review in Houston.
When editing your own work you must be brutal. Then step back and brutally edit your work again. Some take a intuitive approach others take a more analytical approach. Regardless edit, Edit, EDIT.
Another key thing when editing your fine art work is to have a consistent series. Deeply explore that one series. Some photographers I know have great shots whose different subjects are not connected visually and emotionally, this won’t get you far with anyone. The best way to think of a photographic series is like an album. Most people can’t listen to an album if the songs are wildly different. For example what would you think of an album that starts out rock love song, then a bebop jazz song, then electronic chill, then hardcore punk, then Bach, then the blues).
Think of great albums you like, most will have many different songs that somehow tie together to create something bigger.
This applies to more than just photographers…
I was at an artist talk last fall and painter Tom Cramer said that the an critical thing for any artist to do is edit themselves. His gallerist Laura Russo said that most artist do not know how to do this. I’d have to agree.
Earlier this week I posted other FotoFest 2008 Portfolio Review suggestions.
Good advice. You could also think of it like cooking. You have to select the spices that compliment each other, not just throw the whole spice rack into the pot