Pop Up Art - Profile Building for Creatives

POP UP ART- A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words - Week 4 / Unit 4

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At Pop Up Art we are all about ‘You have to be SEEN to be SOLD’. This premise extends to YOU as an artist, as well as in the exhibition of your work.

Presenting yourself may be challenging, but it will be easier to tackle, when broken down into specific tasks. This program provides a structure to assist you.

It’s a 6-week guide to building a portfolio of credentials that will allow you to maximize new opportunities.

Our focus is not on ‘how to’ – it’s more about making the space and finding the motivation, to tackle an achievable goal. In this sense, we hope to encourage the ‘will to’ just do it.

The finished product will be a marketable snap shot of who you are, where you come from and where you are going.

Profile Building For Creatives encourages you to make the process fun, easy and ideally a celebration of you as an artist.

CONTENTS

Unit 1 : About You – Writing a Short Biography
Unit 2 : The Road Travelled – Writing a CV
Unit 3 : Your Point of View – Artist Statement
Unit 4 : A Picture speaks a Thousand words – Biographical Photo
Unit 5 : Your Journey in Images – Historical Portfolio
Unit 6 : Happening Now – Current Portfolio

BIOGRAPHICAL PHOTOGRAPH

To make a photographic image of you, that truly represents you.

A photograph or an alternate image that you feel reflects who you are as an artist, as well as your personality and perhaps even your interests.

The team at Pop Up Art think this is a good example of a contemporary biographical image. It speaks about the artist, his art and his place:
Ben Laycock – local artist, arts leader and advocate.

Image by Ben Blacket
mobile 0435460522
email email@benblacket.com
web site http://www.benblacket.com/

"In a portrait, you have room
to have a point of view.
The image may not be literally what's going on, but it's representative."

Annie Leibovitz

Here is what the National Portrait Gallery say about creating a self portrait.
Much of this is relevant to creating a biographical photo….at minimum
t’s a good way to think about the process ahead.

‘Before you start to make your own self-portrait [or biographical photograph in our case] you need to think about a few things that will affect’….the image you are about to create.

Here’s their list to consider:

Analysis:	A self-portrait [Biographical photo] is an exploration of your face, body and personality.
Authorship:	A self-portrait [Biographical photo] is an historical record of the person that made it, left behind for posterity.
Autobiography:	A self-portrait [Biographical photo] can be a visual journal documenting something that is happening or has happened in your life.
Advertising:	A self-portrait [Biographical photo] is a demonstration of style and skill to show to prospective clients.
Availability:	A self-portrait [Biographical photo] can be a way to experiment with pose and technique using a readily available model.

Determine your composition based on what you want to say about yourself. Will you arrange a head shot or a full body shot? Where will you be placed in the image ?
Will your image be literal or symbolic?
Will you choose a favorite location, room or venue ?
Will you be styled, wear make up, or be bold and bare ?
What clothes will you wear ?
Will you be in action or still?
What finish and treatment will the final image have ? Black & White, Sepia, or perhaps Full Colour.
What direction and where to look ? Will you look into the camera or away from the camera ?
And…after this list is considered…will you comission a photographer…ask a friend to help…or have a crack at it on your own ?

1. A good biographical photo is like business card on a visual level - a quick, easy way to establish a connection with potential buyers. You absolutely need one on your blog and/or website.

2. When having your photo taken, try not to interfere with the technical decisions that the photographer is making. It’s important for you to feel relaxed.

3. A good portrait photo should provide the viewer with an insight into the subject’s inner universe. This can be reflected in his or her surroundings and in the general mood of the photo.

4. If you have a studio, try to have your photo taken there - perhaps while working - as this may provide the viewer with an insight into your character as well as the nature of your work.

5. When choosing your biographical photograph, look for one that is graphic, has meaning and is telling. Also important are strong lines, light and framing. Your aim is to get the viewer interested and make them want to know more about you.

Have a great week everyone. You'll receive your next unit on February 3rd ! :-)

Ben Blacket
http://www.benblacket.com/albums/ben-laycock/
Geoff Lawrence
http://www.geofflawrence.com/portraits.html
Self Portrait Culture and History
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/27/self-portrait-culture-history-james-hall-review-profoundly-human
Explore Photography
http://www.explorephotography.co.uk/WhatMakesGoodPortrait.html
On Looking
http://pages.simonandschuster.com/onlooking

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CONTACT: sharon seyd | sharon@jumpleads.net | 0419 310 765
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TO DE-REGISTER : if you'd like to decline the 6 course units here

EXHIBITION CALL OUT FOR ARTISTS:
WHITE SHOE BOX GALLERY
Pop Up Art – White Shoe Box Gallery
at the Castlemaine State Festival

A quirky installation of art and artefacts.
Open to all artists from 4 neighbouring Shires of Mount Alexander, Macedon,
Hepburn & Bendigo.
Pop Up Art - Connecting Creative Communities
To enter your work: Phone Jacinta Walsh 0412759942
EXHIBITION DATES & TIMES: 13th – 22nd March (10am til late)

http://popupart.com.au/white-shoe-box-gallery/

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