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Recently, I gave a presentation at the Toastmasters District 66 Conference. I created it with Google Docs instead of Microsoft PowerPoint so you can also access it via this url: http://docs.google.com/Presentation?id=dc2j92wh_530pvmxq3hn.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

- Edgar Degas (painter, sculpter) as quoted in Layout Workbook.

It seems everyone has a different take on how to mount art for one’s portfolio or show. I recently did my first 2-D gallery show and the notice said that the art had to be framed but didn’t mention “ready to hang.” I guess I was to assume since “ready to hang” to me means you can stick it on the wall. But to this gallery “framed” meant “ready to hang” which means the pieces have to have a wire in the back. Each gallery is different but here’s another version on mounting art:

(from a museum director)

Abbreviations on the bottom:
AP is Artist’s Proof (first one you like, keep it in portfolio)
1/5 2/5 5/5
Firstnamesign Lastinitial ’05

do not use quotes for title unless it’s a quote

Use:
crescent mat board acid-free (which comes in one size: 32×40″)
3″ Borders & 4″ on bottom
8 1/2 x 11 should fit on one
white white (very white) or black board
Attach with PMA perm. mounting adhesive like spray but roll
when signing print, only use pencil
designate how many gonna make (requires thinking ahead)

We’ve had a few assignments so far in Photography 101. Our first was to learn about the wonders of the filter when developing. The second was landscape, portrait and still life. The third was depth of field. I scanned in a picture with middle ground in focus.

My sinsuses really don’t like the dark room chemicals, but what are you going to do?

Black and White

From roll 2, negative 19 on October 1, 2005 at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton. Shot on 100 ASA Kodak Black and White film with a Canon EOS Rebel G And 35-80mm lens. Developed on Ilford 8×10 MGIV RC paper for 30 seconds, filter 2 and at f-stop 8. The scan isn’t as ‘rich’ as the print. Maybe because the print is glossy. I’ll get a negative scanner one of these days or a scanner that is better than a $2 special.

Color

And when I go out and do 35mm work, I try to take along the digital camera. I like the black and white version better.

I was tasked with doing a quick flier for a golf tournament. I wanted to do a vector look with gradients to add a bit of depth and interest. I used Illustrator CS2.

In the Beginning

I wanted to do two fonts because I thought that was what was normal. But if they’re two fonts, one should be sans-serif and the other serif. Ok, we have this golf tournament in Williamsburg. How about something like Caslon for the bottom part? (Caslon is historic looking and Williamsburg is historic.)

(click for larger images)
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