could someone please bulletpoint the basic requirements for a
jury-qualifying picture. I realise that 1) the picture has to be a
closeup, sharp and focussed and 2) no clutter around the product…
I usually enjoy clicking pictures of my pieces with interesting
backgrounds. I find that it also helps to sell the piece. My clients
take back with them not just the piece but the memory of an
interesting photograph which comes to the fore everytime they wear
it. but clearly these pictures would not be jury-worthy. And that
would require me to take 2 photos of the same piece-one for the
portfolio/jury and one for my website/exhibition for the client,
making this a VERY time-consuming activity…
I realise that 1) the picture has to be a closeup, sharp and
focussed and 2) no clutter around the product...
Yes, Pallavi, you are correct. There should be no interesting things
in the photo, other than the jewelry. Do not even use folds of cloth
drapery. Use a plain, neutral background, possibly gradient grey. I
use a simple grey background a lot, not graded. My favorite is a
thin sheet of extremely small-celled foam from the “craft” store.
Furthermore, all the backgrounds in a jury slide set should really
be the same. For this reason, I generally stick to the same
background every time I shoot, just in case I want to use some images
in the same set at a future time. Perhaps there could be a little bit
of photoshopping done to adjust these background colors, but it is
best for me to try to just keep my techniques the same so that I do
not have to mess with it.
I’m sorry that this answer does not back up your idea of having
interesting backgrounds. That is working well for your other photo
uses, but it unfortunately will turn off show juries. There is no
use in applying if you do not try to do what they require to look at
your work. So I’d say, just get used to it, and do the plain
backgrounds for jury shots. As for the expense, it has to be added to
your overhead expense percentage, which should be 15% or higher,
IMHO.
But clearly these pictures would not be jury-worthy. And that would
require me to take 2 photos of the same piece-one for the
portfolio/jury and one for my website/exhibition for the client,
making this a VERY time-consuming activity...
Yep. So switch to using ALL jury photos, or send them out to be shot
by a professional.
If you really want both backgrounds, just set up two light booths
and shoot the jewelry twice in a row.