What makes a good portfolio?

[KeithnFW]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how many photos? what size photos? I have no idea obviously and need to put one together quickly for a possible interview. Thanks, Keith

[epoh]

I would imagine it depends on what type of business you are interviewing with?

[toverman]

Originally Posted by epoh

I would imagine it depends on what type of business you are interviewing with?

+1
But to get you in the neighborhood, I'd say 20 images and as big as you can stand (think north of 8x10).

[KeithnFW]

thanks!

[HotHolly]

i would think it should be selective and contain the best of your best. most ports ive seen have had 12-20 shots for portrait work.

[J Eddington]

If they aren't FANTASTIC don't show them.

[pbyd]

If the portfolio is for fashion work or advertising you should have 8x10s mounted in an 11x14 book, this will keep the client from having to turn the book between vertical and hoi zonal images and your style and ability should be shown in no more than 20 images as art directors are busy and will not spend much time in viewing the work.
Now this was how it was in the '80s when I was pushing an advertising portfolio.
Wayne
www.pbyd.com

[texkam]

Lead with your best. Finish with your 2nd best.

[mschulz]

My current book is 14x11 with about 30 images. I currently use a Pina Zangaro book with the Moab pre-drilled and scored paper which can be printed on both sides. It's matte paper and the advantage is that you don't have the sleeves which make it look horrible.
You should rather have 10 great images in the book than 20 mediocre ones. Also make sure that your book has a nice flow and is well edited.
Don't make the viewer turn the book because that's distracting.

But it really depends who your target is. You may want to give us more details.

Mike

[swanny338]

I have always been taught that a portfolio should be a cohesive body of work... One that works together to make a point. It should say something about you and your work. Also, if the interview is with someone who interviews a lot of photographers they will probably ask you why you took a picture and what it means... You should have a good answer for that. If they aren't used to interviewing photogs, they probably won't ask that.


Good luck.

[texkam]

Not to hijack this thread, but what are ones thoughts about a digital portfolio? Once again I guess it would depend on what type of business. Seems like in PJ and Sports photography for instance, it's more about getting the shot than the printing (shooter has no control there). Of course showing hard copies would be extremely important in wedding photography. I would think a good sports photographer could certainly demonstrate their talent with a digital portfolio. Thoughts?

[KeithnFW]

Thanks to everyone. Many great ideas here. . was just what I was looking for.

[toverman]

Originally Posted by texkam

Not to hijack this thread, but what are ones thoughts about a digital portfolio? Once again I guess it would depend on what type of business. Seems like in PJ and Sports photography for instance, it's more about getting the shot than the printing (shooter has no control there). Of course showing hard copies would be extremely important in wedding photography. I would think a good sports photographer could certainly demonstrate their talent with a digital portfolio. Thoughts?

Speaking as a former newspaperman, when I was editor of a smalltown weekly and had photogs knocking down the door to get into the paper, I'd only review their portfolio if it was printed out and in their hands. At a smaller paper, I had way too much to do to look at a portfolio online or on a disc. We used freelancers only for sports; me and the other reporters comprised the "staff photographers."

Also, printing them out gives you control over your portfolio even if your published work suffered from press problems, etc. You have no control over screen resolution/calibration that could mar a digital portfolio.

[mschulz]

If you're looking for editorial or advertising work you have to have a great looking printed book. Period. If you show up to a meeting with your laptop then you already lost credibility.

The OP still didn't tell us who the audience is but in the commercial world there are certain expectations.

mschulz added 1 Minutes and 34 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by swanny338

I have always been taught that a portfolio should be a cohesive body of work... One that works together to make a point. It should say something about you and your work. Also, if the interview is with someone who interviews a lot of photographers they will probably ask you why you took a picture and what it means... You should have a good answer for that. If they aren't used to interviewing photogs, they probably won't ask that.


Good luck.

If you meet with photo editors or art buyers at ad agencies they won't ask you why you shot a photo. Actually it's best to not even explain all your work but let them go through it in their own mind.

In the art world it might be different but I don't have experience on that end.

Mike

[dminton]

Originally Posted by toverman

Speaking as a former newspaperman, when I was editor of a smalltown weekly and had photogs knocking down the door to get into the paper, I'd only review their portfolio if it was printed out and in their hands. At a smaller paper, I had way too much to do to look at a portfolio online or on a disc. We used freelancers only for sports; me and the other reporters comprised the "staff photographers."

Also, printing them out gives you control over your portfolio even if your published work suffered from press problems, etc. You have no control over screen resolution/calibration that could mar a digital portfolio.

For some other perspective, nowadays the huge majority of newspaper/magazine photo editors and HR folks DEMAND digital portfolios and won't even consider you if you send them prints. Think about it: Do you want hundreds of people sending you books of big prints, that take up loads of space on an already junk-covered desk and that you have lug around and keep track of? Or do you want a DVD that you can fit hundreds of in a box and go rip through in Photo Mechanic in just a few seconds.?

I wouldn't worry too much about the possibility of an editor looking at my portfolio disc on a monitor that had crappy color. If whatever editor who was gonna look at my portfolio was going do it on a screen that would screw up the color, I probably wouldn't want to be working there anyway. If anything, it'd make or break you and show them whether or not you knew if your screen was accurate. Not to mention the fat that you have the technical wherewithal to create a disk that their computer can read.

I've seen many times at portfolio review sessions where a photog comes in to get a portfolio review and they pop the disk into the reviewer's computer and all of their photos have a gross ugly color cast to them, because the photog didn't have a calibrated screen.