Photography Portfolio Questionaire

[hh101]

Photography Portfolio Questionaire

Hey there everyone was wondering if anyone could help me out with this questionaire which is for a project im doing wether you are a professional photographer or not there is a more detailed explanation of this project at the end of this post.

This quick questionaire is for the use of a university project relating to my Photography degree it will not only help me with my work but also as a photographer myself who will soon be seeking a career within the photography field. The questionaire consists of 10 simple questions please feel free to answer them in depth if you would like to.

1. Do you maintain a portfolio of your work?

2. In what form is your portfolio presented and why?

3. Would you consider a portfolio to be of good purpose/value if so why?

4. How many images does your portfolio consist of (How many is to
many/how many is too little)?

5. What would you say are the most fundamental considerations to take
into account when creating a portfolio?

6. How often do you update your portfolio?

7. Would you change your portfolio images depending on your client?

8. How does your portfolio stand out from others you may have seen?

9. Where would you say is the best place to source professional portfolio
supplies?

10. Do you have any other comments you would like to make regarding
Portfolios? (Hints & Tips?)


Thank you!


H. Hamit


For a much more clear understanding of the project it is to actually send the questionaire to as many photographers as possible by email and forums wether professional or not since everyone looks at things differently and everyone has there own unique ideas I need to gather the questionaires look through each of them and write a review on the entire process relating all the questionaires to find out what the majority of photographers would consider an overall great portfolio...The questions are quite basic to make it easier for the person filling in the questionaire since many people may be busy it would be quicker for them to answer rather than having complicated longer questions.

[dorsetman]

Firstly with the exception of question 9, if the answer to the first question is No then the remaining questions cant be answered.

Secondly a portfolio must never be too big. In my opinion no more than around 20 photos. Each photo must highlight different situations and skills. Also this depends heavily on the type of photography you wish to specialise in. If you are a Rankin then Nature wont be of much interest. If you are more nature orientated then likewise fashion will not show the same skills and dedication. Studio work is very different as you will know to being out in the wilderness at stupid o'clock getting the best possible light for a picture. Perhaps some of your questions need a tweak and should be even more objective. :-)

[hh101]

Thank you for your reply was really helpful ...this questionnaire is directed mainly at people who DO have portfolio's but people without one could also answer a few of the questions if they wish to. If a photographer does not have a portfolio then that would seem very strange to me unless they are very new to photography or do it just as a hobby...questions 3, 5, 9 and 10 can be answered fully even without a portfolio even if they may not be as professional or detailed as a person who does have a portfolio since a person who does have a portfolio would most likely know more

...Thank you very much for the comments you have made regarding portfolio's I really appreciate it

[miketoll]

No portfolio as photography is just a hobby.
I would have thought the purpose of a portfolio is to demonstrate ones work in the best light possible so should only consist of the best you have. Should show the breadth and depth of your work demonstrating both technical mastery and the vision of the photographer and contain traditional photographs plus more imaginative ones.
Not too many photographs either, probably twenty maximum. I am sure any potential client will have made their mind up by then and more would be counter productive, if they want to see more they will ask.
I would certainly consider having different portfolios for different clients as long as I was absolutely certain what the client wanted.

[gordon g]

1) Yes, I have a number of portfolios.
2) I have web-based portfolios on my recently started website, but for many years have organised my prints into loosely formatted portfolios based on a number of themes. Most usually, these are along the lines of images from a particular trip, a ‘best of year’ collection etc. The web-based portfolios are based on geographic themes according to the type of landscape they were made in. E.g. mountains, moorland, rivers etc. I have put together some more concept-based portfolios for use in environmental campaigns as well.
3) I think you have the cart before the horse here. The purpose of a portfolio depends entirely on the photographer. Most of mine are simply handy collections of images that I may want to show to an audience. Others, such as the environmental portfolios, were shot to order, and the images collated according to the brief. So the purpose of a portfolio is not ‘good’ or ‘of value’ in itself. The portfolio may be ‘good’ or ‘of value’ if the images fulfil the reason for its creation.
4) This depends on the brief – for example, you may be asked to put together a portfolio of 50 images on a particular theme. However, I have found if you go beyond 25-30 prints, viewers tend to get tired and switch off.
5) What is the purpose of the portfolio? Without this clearly defined, nothing else can be done. Once this is decided, then images can be selected that best fit the brief.
6) Unless it is an open-ended portfolio, never! Otherwise, when I have an image that fits the brief and is good enough to be worth including.
7) You should always consider the audience for your portfolio, and have a good understanding of the brief. So, yes, I would adapt my offering to fit, and if the client wants to be involved in the selection of images for the portfolio, then that’s fine by me. (Think of wedding albums for instance…)
8) To be brutally honest, I’m not sure my portfolios do stand out. I think I have some good images, and try to present them in a coherent and pleasing way, but beyond that, I’m not in a position to judge.
9) www….!
10) The key thing for me is being clear about a portfolio’s purpose. I have found the process of putting portfolios together to be very enjoyable. It has taught me to be more critical and selective about my own work, and also when working to a brief sometimes, to take a different approach to a subject than I might for my own work. Showing portfolios to an audience can be a bit daunting initially, but as with all things, practice helps build confidence.

[elizthscott]

1. Do you maintain a portfolio of your work?
-Yes
2. In what form is your portfolio presented and why?
- I put it online so that it could be viewed by anyone and always available..
3. Would you consider a portfolio to be of good purpose/value if so why?
-Yes it shows how you work
4. How many images does your portfolio consist of (How many is to
many/how many is too little)?
-Around 20
5. What would you say are the most fundamental considerations to take
into account when creating a portfolio?
-Your forte in photography
6. How often do you update your portfolio?
-When I got new shots that I think is best
7. Would you change your portfolio images depending on your client?
-No
8. How does your portfolio stand out from others you may have seen?
-Every photographers have their forte so can't say if where in different side
9. Where would you say is the best place to source professional portfolio
supplies?
-Online
10. Do you have any other comments you would like to make regarding
Portfolios? (Hints & Tips?)
-Just put the standing out photos of you not necessarily all..
Its better to have few quality photos..